Dumaguete lawyer shot in office, in critical condition

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines—A Dumaguete lawyer is fighting for his life after a still unidentified assailant shot him several times inside his office here at around 11 a.m. Friday.

Doctors at the Holy Child Hospital are working to save Archer Baldwin R. Martinez, who was shot three times in the chest. The motive for the shooting is still undetermined.

Cynthia Sulit-Portugaleza, Martinez’ law partner, said she was entertaining three clients in their office on the second floor of the Leq Tak Building when the shooting occurred.

“We heard three very loud blasts. We did not know where the sound came from, and neither did we know it was gunfire but everyone ducked for cover,” Portugaleza said.

Portugaleza said Martinez was hidden from her view by a divider separating their offices and it took about 10 minutes before they noticed that Martinez was already slumped on his desk.

“That was when we learned that the gunshots came from inside our office and that it was Martinez who was shot,” Portugaleza said.

The wounded lawyer was taken to the hospital by his secretary, Vincenzo Galera, and a traffic aide.

Portugaleza said she did not know if Martinez had been handling a sensitive case.

The police recovered two spent shells from a .45-caliber pistol at the crime scene.

The police have launched a manhunt for the assailant, who was reportedly wearing a dark baseball cap and a white t-shirt.

Martinez, who teaches at the Foundation University College of Law, is also past president of the Rotary Club of Dumaguete South.

Originally posted at 1:52 p.m.