Lawyer killed, wife hurt in Negros ambush

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  —  A lawyer was killed while his wife was wounded in a gun attack in Sitio Looc, Barangay  Poblacion, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on Tuesday.

Police said Anthony Trinidad, 53, was declared dead on arrival at the Guihulngan District Hospital.

Trinidad had just attended a court hearing in La Libertad and was driving his sport utility vehicle to San Carlos City, Negros Occidental with his wife  Novie Marie when they were attacked by motorcycle-riding men.

Trinidad’s SUV hit a pedicab when he lost control of the wheel. The pedicab driver, Guillermo Magdasal, was injured.

Col. Raul Tacaca, Negros Oriental police director, said a task force was created to investigate the incident.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Negros Occidental chapter condemned the killing of Trinidad, saying his death “marks a worrying escalation of violence and killing sans due process of law and highlights the prevailing culture of impunity.”

The IBP chapter said it would put up a bounty to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Trinidad is the third lawyer killed in Negros since last year.

Human rights lawyer Benjamin Ramos and defense lawyer Rafael Atotubo were gunned down in August and November last year in Bacolod City and Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, respectively. The incidents remain unsolved.

Chief M/Sgt. Jerome de Lara said witnesses were hesitant in identifying the suspects.

Trinidad’s uncle Mario, a judge, survived an ambush in November 2008, also in Guihulngan City. His companion died.