Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 9) — A regional trial court (RTC) judge was shot dead by unidentified men Thursday afternoon in Zamboanga del Norte.
Judge Reymar Lacaya of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte RTC Branch 11, was killed outside his quarters in Liloy town, according to the municipal police.
Initial report said Lacaya was walking towards his car when he was shot at around 3 p.m. Authorities recovered four empty shells from a caliber .45 firearm believed used by the gunmen.
Authorities said an investigation is under way.
In October 2018, Ozamiz City RTC judge Edmundo Pintac was also gunned down by unknown suspects. Pintac was the judge who handled the drug cases of the Parojinog siblings.
READ: Parojinog family denies hand in judge’s death
The Supreme Court meanwhile condemned the killing and urged authorities to fast-track their investigation on the case.
“The entire Judiciary condemns in the strongest possible terms the killing of Judge Lacaya. I am urging the authorities to exert their best efforts for the immediate apprehension of those responsible for Judge Lacaya’s death,” Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin said in a statement Thursday.
The high court added Lacaya is the 30th judge to be killed in active service since 1999.
