(Eagle News)–The Prosecutors League of the Philippines has strongly condemned the Sept. 9 attack on a prosecutor in Caloocan, and called for an “immediate and thorough investigation” into the incident.
In a statement, the PLP said the “dastardly attack” against Chief Inquest Prosecutor Elmer Susano of the Office of the City Prosecutor in Caloocan was “clearly not an isolated incident, but part of a systematic and flagrant attack on members of the National Prosecution Service to undermine their vital role in the dispensation of justice.”
“The senseless violence inflicted on prosecutors has escalated in recent years resulting to grave injuries and deaths to our prosecutors. With most of these attacks still unresolved, with the perpetrators yet to be brought within the ambit of the law, Prosecutor Susano is but another sad addition to the list,” the PLP said.
Saying the “state of impunity must stop,” the PLP called on law enforcement authorities to “bring to the full force of the law the people responsible for this contemptible act.”
It also urged prosecutors to “equip and protect themselves as we continue to risk our life and limb carrying out ur sworn duties,” and demanded for the Department of Justice to help arm and train them to “avoid another loss of life or threat
thereto.”
“Prosecutors cannot be sitting ducks and wait for the next act of violent terror in our ranks,” the PLP said.
“In these times when evil sows a culture of impunity, we earnestly urge our colleagues to remain steadfast and committed to their solemn oath to administer justice and truth to the best of their abilities,” the PLP added.
At least three men on board two motorcycles shot Susano at close range after he boarded his pickup truck on B. Serrano St. corner 9th Ave. at 2:45 p.m.
Susano had just come out from a restaurant at that time.
He managed to reverse, prompting his vehicle to hit one of the motorcycles.
He sped away unscathed.
