• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Negros Occidental chapter strongly condemned the fatal shooting of Atty. Danny Pondevilla on December 20 at Lacson Street in Bacolod City.
We call upon the authorities, including the police, to exert every legal means to identify the suspect and to bring the perpetrator to justice. IBP Negros Occidental chapter, headed by Atty. Josephine Natalaray, said.
An assault to any member of the legal profession is an assault to the entire community, Natalaray said, in statement issued by IBP Negros Occidental.
Pondevilla, the 47-year-old general manager of Northern Negros Electric Cooperative, was found dead in the driver’s seat of his Honda CRV, with a gunshot wound at the back of his head, according to the police.
The two individuals tagged by the police as “persons of interests” in their investigations, were subjected to paraffin tests. However, the results released on December 22 yielded negative results, PLt. Jonito Pastrana, Police Station 2 officer in charge, said.
Police probers are looking into personal or job related grudges, as among the possible motives behind the death of Pondevilla.
We will continue to be vigilant. We will continue to pursue our goal to let the rule of law prevail, the IBP Negros Occidental further said in a statement.
Bacolod City Police Office director PCol. Thomas Joseph Martir said that they are also looking into CCTV footage from commercial establishments in the area, which could have recorded the commission of the crime.
The creation of a Special Investigation Task Group has been recommended to fast track the investigation into the shooting incident.*
