Work-related motive eyed

CEBU, Philippines — Investigators are considering a possible job-related angle in the shooting of Cebu Port Authority (CPA) lawyer Karen Quiñanola-Gonzales in Mandaue City, Cebu evening on September 1, 2022.

Col. Franco Rodulf Oriol, deputy director for operations at the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO), said they are now tracing Gonzales’ travel route that night through CCTV footage, starting from the time her vehicle left the CPA compound in Cebu City until her vehicle was fired at on Hernan Cortes Street in Barangay Tipolo, Mandaue City.

Gonzales is manager of CPA’s Business Marketing and Development Department.

She was with her 19-year-old son at the time of the ambush and they were both hit by bullets. As of this writing, the two are recuperating at a private hospital.

Condemnation

CPA has condemned the shooting and said the port community is shocked and distressed by what happened.

“We vehemently condemn this grave act of violence and we call on the authorities to conduct a swift and transparent investigation and bring the perpetrators to answer for their crimes to the fullest extent of the law,” CPA said in a statement.

It urged the public to be sensitive online and not share personal information about the victims that could jeopardize their safety and security.For its part, the Cebu City Chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) is dangling a P50,000 reward to anyone who can provide information that can lead to the suspect’s arrest.

It said that members of its security committee will take part actively in the investigation conducted by law enforcement authorities.

“We call for the swift delivery of justice against all those who do harm and destroy the common good. We enjoin everyone to work together with us to protect the rights of every person and secure the safety of our community. When we allow, by our inaction or apathy, for violence to flourish, we dim the future of our country. Let us cast the light of truth and justice so that the rule of law will prevail!” its statement reads.

The Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) – Cebu Chapter and UP Cebu High School Alumni Association of which Gonzales is a member also issued separate statements of condemnation.

“We, likewise, denounce the continued attack against human rights workers, members of the clergy, and ordinary citizens. Extra-judicial killings that flourishes under the Duterte administration continue unchecked under Marcos Jr.’s rule,” FLAG said.

For its part, the UP Alumni group said:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with her, her son and her family.  We condemn this barbarity and senseless violence and urge our law enforcement agencies to act with dispatch in arresting and bringing the perpetrators to justice,” said Atty. Carlo Pontico Fortuna in a Facebook post.

Gonzales is a member of the alumni group’s Board of Trustees. She finished high school in UP in 1996 and completed a mass communication degree in the school before taking up law at the University of San Carlos.

Gonzales was a reporter of The Freeman before she went to law school.  – Romeo Limpangog, JMO  (FREEMAN)