SC condemns killing of Camarines Sur judge

MANILA, Philippines — Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio on Wednesday condemned the killing of a Camarines Sur judge and called for a thorough investigation of the murder.

According to a statement released by Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore Te, Carpio "condemns in the strongest terms" the killing of Presiding Judge Ricky Begino of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Camarines Sur.

Begino was shot in front of his house in Presentacion, Camarines Sur on Tuesday afternoon, June 12.

Carpio also called on the authorities to "take all necessary steps with all deliberate speed to do justice for Judge Begino by fully investigating his killing."

According to a report on radio DzBB, Senior Inspector Bernardo Peñero, chief of Presentacion police, identified Wilfredo Armea as a suspect in the killing. Police have yet to arrest Armea.

More than 10 members of the bar, among them active and retired prosecutors, have been killed since President Rodrigo Duterte took office.

Begino's killing comes days after Office of the Ombudsman Special Assistant Prosecutor Madonna Joy Tanyag was stabbed to death in Quezon City on June 4.
The police collared suspect Angelito Galvez Avenido Jr. less than a day after the incident. Galvez faces charges of robbery with homicide.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines, in February, formed a task force to investigate the killings of lawyers.

IBP National President Abdiel Dan Fajardo created a five-member panel to "to investigate, document, prosecute or assist in the prosecution of cases involving the murder or violent assault against the members of the Bar [and] their families."