Why was she targeted? Cops dig into Abra lawyer slaying
Lawyer Ma. Saniata Liwliwa Gonzales Alzate was killed by two unidentified gunmen in front of her house at 4:55 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14. | PHOTO: Abra provincial government
MANILA, Philippines — The Police Provincial Office of Abra said on Friday that investigators are now establishing the motive behind the murder of a lawyer in Abra.
The police began the daunting task of searching for clues after lawyer Atty. Maria Saniata Alzate was gunned down on Santiago Street, Zone 3, in front of her home at around 4:55 p.m.
“Inaalam ng investigators ngayon ‘yung motives kung meron man, para po mapagaralan mabuti, magkaroon ng process of elimination para matumbok talaga kung ano talaga ‘yung rason ng pagpatay sa kaniya,” said Abra Police Provincial Office public information officer PCapt. Ronaldo Eslabra in an interview over Radyo 360.
(The investigators are now looking into the motives, if any, so that they can study it and have a process of elimination to identify the real reason for killing the lawyer.)
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Article continues after this advertisementKillers made sure Alzate was dead
Meanwhile, initial investigation showed that at least eight bullet cartridges had been recovered from the crime scene.
Eslabra said Alzate was shot multiple times, with CCTV footage showing that her assassins, after shooting her, returned and fired some more shots.
“Nakikita sa video na pagkatapos lapitan at barilin bumalik pa ‘yung nakamotor pumutok pa uli,” said Eslabra.
(It can be seen in the video that after being approached and shot, the motorcyclist returned and fired again.)
According to Eslabra, police investigators are now working on identifying witnesses and compiling CCTV footage involving the incident.
