Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has directed the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the murder of a former prosecutor in Ozamiz City on Tuesday.
Guevarra said on Thursday that he had ordered the NBI to identify the perpetrators and determine the motive behind the ambush of retired Ozamiz City prosecutor Geronimo Marave Jr.
“I have directed the NBI to investigate … The Department of Justice will not take these violent incidents sitting down,” Guevarra said in a text message.
He said Marave’s killing would not deter prosecutors from performing their duty.
Marave was shot down by four assailants as he was driving his car at Barangay 50th District in Ozamiz. He was rushed to Faith Hospital in the city, but was declared dead on arrival.
Prior to his retirement, Marave prosecuted several cases involving the Parojinog drug ring in Ozamiz City.
Prosecutor General Jorge Catalan Jr. condemned the assassination. Marave was the 14th prosecutor to be killed in the country since 1992, he said.
“With each statistic more deliberate and brazen than the last, these shameless perpetrators have become fearless of anything or anyone,” Catalan said. — JULIE M. AURELIO