TACLOBAN CITY, Aug. 26 (PNA) – The Philippine National Police(PNP) Eastern Visayas regional office assured the parents of the girl killed during an ambush of a narco-linked lawyer that they are stepping up efforts to identify the gunmen.
Angelika Bonita, 17, was fatally shot to death with Lawyer Rogelio Bato Jr in an ambush Tuesday afternoon while the two were riding the lawyer’s car.
“We will fully investigate what happened and there will be no cover-up,” said PNP Eastern Visayas acting regional director Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar.
The parents of Angelika asked law enforces to conduct thorough investigation on the incident that killed their daughter, who has nothing to do with illegal drugs.
Beltejar added that they felt bad that an innocent teenager got killed in a shooting incident that targeted a suspected protector of known drug personalities.
The police regional chief ordered the Tacloban city police office to conduct investigation and hunt the assailants.
Beltejar has called on witnesses to cooperate with authorities to resolve the crime.
“This was done in a broad daylight and we assume that there are witnesses so we will exert all our efforts to get witnesses,” Beltejar said.
Bato is included in the drugs watch list of PNP Eastern Visayas due to his connection with the Espinosas as their legal counsel.
He reportedly receives monthly protection money from the Espinosa. Even the car that he used when he was ambushed was given to him by Espinosa as payment for the services he rendered to them, according to the PNP. (PNA)
ROEL T. AMAZONA
