Baler judge shot dead; Sereno condemns killing

A REGIONAL Trial Court Judge in Baler, Aurora was shot to death Tuesday afternoon, the Supreme Court said in a statement.

Information from the Office of the Court Administrator said Baler, Aurora RTC Branch 91 Judge Jude Erwin Alaba and his wife were about to alight from their vehicle near the court room when a lone gunman on a motorcycle shot him six times around 2 in the afternoon.

His wife was shot in the arm.

Witnesses said the gunman was spotted waiting for the judge near the court.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno condemned the killing and urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) and all concerned authorities “to take all necessary steps with all deliberate speed to do justice for Judge Alaba and his wife by fully investigating the crimes committed today.”

Meanwhile, Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said they will look at the case being handled by Judge Alaba for possible motive, adding that this is the first time that a judge was killed in the province. Tetch Torres-Tupas