Human rights lawyer survives ambush in Capiz

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — A member of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) was unhurt in an ambush in Sigma, Capiz yesterday.

Criselda Azarcon, 49, a resident of Barangay Bolo, Roxas City, had just attended a court hearing in Dao town when the incident occurred in Barangay Malapad Cogon.

Azarcon was in a white Toyota Fortuner driven by her daughter, Angelica Katrina Heredia, 26, a medical doctor, and Jimmy Dordas, 55, a government employee and her client, when they were waylaid.

Capt. Christian Mahometano, Sigma police chief, said motorcycle-riding men opened fire as the vehicle slowed down along a renovated road.

“The bullets are apparently aimed at the second row seat of the vehicle,” Mahometano said, referring to where Dordas was sitting.

A bullet grazed Dorda’s neck. He was brought to the Panitan Rural Health Unit for treatment.

Mahometano said Dordas could be the target of the ambush, noting that all the bullets were directed at him.

Prior to the incident, Dordas said he received death threats, but did not say if those were in connection with a case that Azarcon was handling.

However, Azarcon believes she was the target of the attack.

“Now, that I am the victim, I’m condemning this administration for what happened. Anything could be a possible reason... just because I’m a human rights lawyer? Do I deserve this?” she asked.

“Whoever you are who did this to us, I’m with my daughter. We’re unarmed. If you’re a military man, you should go to the West Philippine Sea,” Azarcon said.