Cops zero in on work in attack

CEBU, Philippines — Lawyer Inocencio dela Cerna strongly believes that the foiled attempt on his life Monday may be connected to any of the three high-profile cases he’s handling, two of which are in Bohol.

Dela Cerna admitted that a ranking police official warned him a year ago about an intelligence report that somebody wants him dead. Although he did not receive a formal threat, Dela Cerna said he was told by the police official to be careful because the report was reliable.

It happened after dela Cerna took over a case in Bohol involving property dispute where the former lawyer was also killed in an ambush. He did not anymore elaborate, but said the people involved could be from Davao.

Another case that dela Cerna thought could be connected is the P3.2 billion estafa involving shares of stock where he represented the accused against the members of a wealthy family in Cebu. Dela Cerna said he was able to bail out the suspect from jail after taking over the case.

The other possible motive behind his foiled murder attempt is the parricide case of Bien Unido mayor Gisela Boniel. Dela Cerna is one of the defense lawyers of former Provincial Board Member Niño Rey Boniel, who is accused of killing his wife.

According to dela Cerna, he had cross-examined the main witness of the prosecution and had proven that the witness was lying. He said the witness, who is in a relationship with a police official, may have told her boyfriend that she was embarrassed by him in public.

Despite the attempt on his life, dela Cerna vowed to fulfill his oath as a lawyer. He said he will continue handling these cases. 

Cebu City Police Director Gemma Vinluan also said that they are zeroing in on dela Cerna’s work as possible motive.

“Even yung family niya, naniniwala na work-related yung pang-ambush kay Atty. Dela Cerna… dalawa yung nabanggit na sa suspect sa pang-ambush sa kanya (Even his family believes that the incident was work-related. There were two suspects in the attempted ambush),” Vinluan said.

Vinluan said they cannot divulge more details about the investigation except to say that Dela Cerna’s cooperation is of utmost importance in solving the case.

“Sa ngayon, wala siya. Wala rin siya sa bahay nila. Siguro for security sa kanya muna, umalis siya sa kanila (He’s not around for now; he’s not even at home. He might have left for now for security reasons),” Vinluan told reporters yesterday.

She said Dela Cerna might also still experiencing trauma.

Dela Cerna has just come out of court and was boarding his vehicle at the grounds of Qimonda Building at the North Reclamation Area when a man approached and opened fire. The suspect also aimed his firearm at the building’s security personnel, as well as at the policeman who attempted to intervene.

With the bullets missing him, Dela Cerna was quick to drive his car out of the Qimonda compound but the suspect, with the help of an accomplice, chased him on board a motorcycle and continued firing at his vehicle.

Forced to stop at a red light, Dela Cerna decided to face his attackers head on. Gripping his own gun, he stepped out of his vehicle and fired at the suspects, forcing the latter to flee.

Dela Cerna told The Freeman he will cooperate with the police fully and would even prefer a joint investigation with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Police are now checking footage from closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the Qimonda compound and at other areas involved in the incident.

Tightened Security

While saying that there is no perfect security, Vinluan said security at the Qimonda compound will be augmented, something that Executive Judge Macaundas Hadjirasul agrees to.

“Actually, may mga police tayo dun na naka-detail… wala nga lang tayong patrol car na ready to respond anytime, pero this time, nagpalagay na ako kagabi at magpalagay ako ng intel na pwedeng makipagbarilan ng hindi nalalaman ng suspek na merong police doon sa lugar… kasi kung naka uniporme, ang dali ma-ano (identify)… even nga yung mga pulis, pinaputokan daw, eh (Actually, there are cops detailed there but we don’t have a patrol car that can be used to respond anytime… this time, however, I have fielded someone who can fight it out without the suspects knowing… it’s easy to identify cops when they are in uniform… the suspect even aimed at the cops last Monday),” Vinlaun said.

Aside from this, the city police will also put up a “view deck” at the Qimonda compound that cops can use as an outpost. 

Hadjirasul, meanwhile, is considering of prohibiting motorcycles from parking in front of the vicinity of the Qimonda compound.

“The Hall of Justice where people are seeking justice, nahimo na nuong quarry for targets of killers. What kind of society do we have? This is a challenge to all of us,” Hadjirasul said.

On February 2, 2018, former Ronda vice mayor Jonnah John Ungab was killed in broad daylight also at the Qimonda compound after appearing at the promulgation of a case against his high-profile client, Roland “Kerwin” Espinosa, a self-confessed drug lord. —  JMO (FREEMAN)