Police check slain judge’s cases for leads

Police investigators are looking for leads in cases handled by slain Quezon City judge Nathaniel Patuggalan that they hope could eventually lead to the killers.

Among the cases that the Quezon City Police District wants to get details about is one involving a powerful Cagayan politician that Patuggalan had sent to jail.

The QCPD has sought assistance from the Philippine National Police regional command. "We are still awaiting reports from the Cagayan PNP," Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula, QCPD director, told The STAR.

Gatdula declined to give details, saying it was still premature and might jeopardize the ongoing investigation.

The National Bureau of Investigation has started a separate probe.

Supervising Agent Arnel Dalumpines, of the NBI-Special Task Force, said NBI Director Nestor Mantaring had ordered a parallel investigation.

Dalumpines also suspects that one of Patuggalan’s cases might provide leads. "We will review the cases that he handled. This could be job-related. He may have rendered decisions on sensational court cases," he said.

Patuggalan, who was temporarily assigned with the Quezon City Municipal Trial Court, was killed last Friday while riding on a passenger jeep along Elliptical Road and Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City at around 6:15 p.m.

Two men on a motorcycle pulled up from behind and one of them shot Patuggalan, who was seated up front.

The jeepney driver brought Patuggalan to the nearest hospital, East Avenue Medical Center, as fast as he could but they were delayed by rush hour traffic.

Gatdula said it appeared that the assailants knew the Patuggalan’s routine. "The judge’s family has seen suspicious looking men but they did not report it to the police," he added.

Last Friday’s attack was the second attempt on the judge’s life. In October 2005, he survived an ambush in Cagayan Valley. His driver was killed.

Dalumpines said they will coordinate with the NBI-Cagayan Valley Regional Office to look for vital information on the first ambush attempt.

His agents have also contacted the victim’s family. "But the judge’s wife, Anastacia, said that they are still in mourning and do not wish to be disturbed. They are willing to be interviewed but after the interment which is set within this week," Dalumpines said. — With Evelyn Macairan