Bullet removed from fiscal’s head after successful surgery

The bullet lodged in the head of Asst. City Prosecutor Ma. Theresa Casiño was removed yesterday in an operation that lasted about three hours.

Her husband Rhett said the surgery in  Chong Hua Hospital  was successful.

“God is good. Talked with Dr. Briones and the slug was taken out with no bleeding. Dr. Vergara also said that there were no complications,” Rhett said in a a text message to Asst. City Prosecutor Liceria Lofranco-Rabillas after the surgery.

The female prosecutor was shot in the nape last Jan. 22, one of three victims of the shooting rampage by angry litigant John Pope in the Palace of Justice.

Two other targets, Dr. Rene Rafols and Lawyer Jubian Achas, were killed.

Casiño  survived the attack but was in critical condition after the bullet got lodged  near an artery in her head. Rabillas said doctors chose to remove the bullet since it could  cause  damage in the long term.

After surgery the female prosecutor  was   brought to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Friends and family are looking forward to her eventual discharge from the hospital in a week or so.

Casiño’s half brother, Jojo Cornejo, said the operation which lasted 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.   was successful and that the patient was in stable condition.

A Mass for the successful operation of Casiño was held at the Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office past 11 a.m. yesterday.

Casiño has been a government prosecutor for  three years. She was assigned to prosecute Pope in a case for grave threats filed in court stemming from a complaint filed by Dr. Rafols, whom the foreigner was at odds with.

Pope was eventually shot in the leg and arm by responding policemen in the corridor of the Palace of Justice.

A witness told police he saw  Pope turn the gun on himself and shoot his right temple. /Ador Vincent Mayol, Reporter