Pimentel, SC justices condemn judge’s killing in Butuan

Senate President Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel (left) and Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno (right) condemned the killing last Saturday, August 5, 2017, of Butuan City Judge Godofredo Abul Jr. and urged authorities to solve the crime as soon as possible. INQUIRER FILES

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and the rest of the Supreme Court (SC) condemned on Sunday the killing of a judge in Butuan City on Saturday morning.

Judge Godofredo Abul Jr. of the Butuan City Regional Trial Court Branch 4 was shot dead inside his house in Butuan City at about 10 a.m., Saturday. Abul’s wife was hurt in the attack.

Sereno and the SC Associate Justices expressed outrage and sadness at the killing.

“(We) call on the authorities concerned to take all necessary steps with all deliberate speed to do justice for Judge Abul and his wife by fully investigating the crimes committed,” the SC said in a statement.

Pimentel, likewise, said the Philippine National Police (PNP) should rise to the challenge and solve the case immediately.

“This brazen attack on a judge in his own home is an insult to our policemen. The killers are showing their complete disregard for the rule of law and showing their contempt for the ability of the PNP to catch them,” Pimentel said in a statement.

“The PNP has been challenged. The best possible way to respond is to arrest the killers,” the senator added. CBB