ARMED men on Thursday shot dead a female lawyer in Bangued, Abra.
Killed was attorney Maria Saniata Liwliwa Gonzales Alzate, a resident of Santiago St., Zone 3, Bangued town
The International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) strongly denounced the killing of Alzate.
An investigation showed that the victim was inside her white Mitsubishi Mirage G4 sedan parked in front of her house when the suspects arrived and shot her repeatedly at 4:55 p.m. on Thursday.
The victim was rushed to Dr. Petronilo V. Seares Sr. Memorial Hospital, where she died later.
Alzate is the wife of Raphiel F. Alzate, the former acting presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 24 in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, and RTC Branch 58 in Bucay, Abra.
“Regardless of the motives or identities of the perpetrators and masterminds behind this heartless act, this brutal murder of a young, principled, and idealistic lawyer underscores the atmosphere of impunity perpetuated by passive, superficial responses from state authorities. It is the paramount duty of these authorities, as stipulated by international law, to safeguard their citizens from harm,” the IADL in a statement said.
Alzate is known in Abra as a defender of the people in need.
