Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20) — A Camarines Sur Regional Trial Court judge and her secretary were wounded Tuesday afternoon after unidentified motorcycle-riding suspects fired at them, police said.
The victims were identified as Judge Jeaneth Gaminde San Joaquin of the RTC Libmanan Branch 56 and her secretary Rocelle Martinez.
According to a police report, the two were on their way to Naga City at around 2:30 p.m. when gunmen onboard a motorcycle attacked them along Brgy. Puro Batia in Libmanan town.
Police said San Joaquin and Martinez both sustained injuries and were rushed to the Libmanan District Hospital, adding that pursuit operations are ongoing.
“The judge is safe, but clerk is in critical condition per post of Cam Sur IBP President,” said Supreme Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez in a text message to reporters.
In a statement, Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta denounced the attack and called for an immediate investigation into the matter.
“An attack on our judges is an assault on the Rule of Law,” he said. “This has no place in a civilized society like ours.”
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Camarines Sur chapter also condemned “in the strongest terms” the ambush and said it is working with authorities to identify those behind the attempted slay.
“IBP Camarines Sur in coordination with the authorities will leave no corners hidden nor quarters safe for the evil perpetrators,” it said in a statement.
