Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta on Wednesday urged law enforcement agencies to immediately investigate and apprehend the perpetrators behind the attack against Camarines Sur Judge Jeaneth Gaminde-San Joaquin and her staff on Tuesday afternoon.
“I strongly condemn the recent attack on Judge Jeaneth C. Gaminde-San Joaquin of Libmanan, Camarines Sur and her companion. I urge all law enforcement agencies to immediately investigate the matter and ensure that the perpetrators of this crime are apprehended,” Peralta said in a statement.
“An attack on our judges is an assault on the Rule of Law. This has no place in a civilized society like ours,” he lamented.
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines—Camarines Sur Chapter also denounced the attack that wounded both the 46-year-old judge and her 34-year-old secretary Rocelle Martinez.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the wicked attempt and vicious assault to the life of Judge Jeaneth Gaminde-San Joaquin of Regional Trial Court Libmanan Branch 56 and to her secretary. IBP Camarines Sur, in coordination with the authorities, will leave no corners hidden nor quarters safe for the evil perpetrators,” the IBP Camarines Sur Chapter said.
Reports showed that the attack on Judge San Joaquin and Martinez took place at 2:30 p.m. of Oct. 20 at Barangay Puro Batia, Libmanan, Camarines Sur.
The victims were reportedly on board their service vehicle. They came from their office and were traveling toward Naga City when unidentified suspects with unknown firearms and on board a motorcycle fired shots.
San Joaquin and Martinez were brought to Libmanan District Hospital for immediate medical treatment.