BY JEFFREY G. DAMICOG
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Manila prosecutors on Friday prodded investigators to solve the killing of Manila Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Jovencio Senados.
“We urge the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a thorough investigation, urgently solve this crime, and bring the perpetrators to justice,” a statement from Manila Assistant City Prosecutor Bernardino Juan Almeda, president of the Prosecutors’ League of Manila, said.
Almeda said the Prosecutors’ League of Manila “strongly condemns the despicable and cowardly act of murder of our beloved colleague.”
“The killing of Chief Senados is not only an assault to a hard-working, brilliant, and dedicated public servant who devoted decades of his life to public service but also an assault to the rule of law,” Almeda stated.
“This attack against a prosecutor, as all previous senseless killings of prosecutors, judges, and lawyers, who are the pillars of our justice system, is an attack against the entire legal profession.”
Senados was gunned down while aboard his car at around 11:05 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, on Quirino Highway corner Anakbayan St. in Paco, Manila.
Closed circuit television camera footage in the area showed that unidentified assailants used two vehicles in the crime, including a black Mitsubishi Montero with license plates ABG-8133.
Guevarra has issued Department Order No. 169 which directed the National Bureau of Investigation “to conduct an investigation and case build-up on the killing of SACP Jovencio A. Senados of the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila on 07 July 2020 in Paco, Manila, and, if evidence warrants, to file the appropriate charges against persons involved and found responsible therefor.”
The Justice Secretary instructed NBI officer-in-charge Eric Distor “to submit reports in the progress of the subject investigation and case build-up to the Office of the Secretary within 10 days.”
