LEGAZPI CITY — A municipal trial court judge was gunned down on Tuesday afternoon in Barangay Santa Maria, Presentacion town in Camarines Sur, a report reaching the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol said on Wednesday.
PNP Bicol spokesperson Senior Insp. Maria Luisa Calubaquib identified the victim as Judge Ricky Begino, 49, married, of the Metropolitan Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) of San Jose-Lagonoy town in Camarines Sur.
Calubaquib, quoting an initial police report, said the suspect was identified as Wilfredo Armea of Zone 3, Barangay Santa Maria, Presentacion town.
The attack occurred at about 5 p.m. Tuesday, while the victim was standing along the street when the suspect armed with still unknown type of handgun shot him in the neck.
The victim was rushed to the town Rural Health Unit and later was transferred to the NICC Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival by attending physicians.
“Police operatives have launched an all points bulletin to track down the suspect that fled after the attack” Calubaquib said.
Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio, meanwhile, condemned the killing of Begino and called for the swift arrest of his killer/s.
“(I extend my) condolences to Judge Begino’s bereaved family and call on the authorities concerned to take all necessary steps with all deliberate speed to do justice for Judge Begino by fully investigating his killing,” Carpio said in a statement. (Jorge Hallare and Mar Serrano with reports from Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
