BY MAE SINGUAY and RANIE AZUE
BACOLOD City – A lawyer handling illegal drug-related cases was killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen outside his house on Galo Street, Barangay 20 yesterday morning. Police launched a “dragnet operation” but failed to catch the two shooters, who were riding in tandem on a black Kawasaki Rouser without plate number.
Atty. Rafael Atutubo, 62, was hit on the head. He was taken to the Bacolod Doctors’ Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
A follow-up operation was under way, said Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, acting director of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).
Atutubo was sitting on a chair right outside his house at around 11:30 a.m. when the culprits pulled over, Ebreo said, citing initial investigation by Police Station 4.
The back rider alighted from the motorcycle and fired at the lawyer twice at close range, the officer said.
The gunman was of medium built, about 5 feet, 6 inches to 5 feet, 7 inches tall, and clad in black jacket, bonnet and helmet. He was wielding a short firearm, Ebreo said, citing witnesses.
Witnesses told the police the motorcycle driver was wearing similar clothing.
The suspects fled westward, police said. Officers recovered two fired cartridges of a .9mm pistol from the crime scene.
Ebreo said they discovered that the victim’s Mitsubishi Pajero parked at the garage was also riddled with bullets.
Investigators were looking into various possible motives – including ones related to his being a defense attorney of illegal drug suspects.
Atutubo was a native of Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
His cousin Jesus Espilogo said he was about to meet with the lawyer that morning. He said they were exchanging texts prior to the shooting.
The lawyer lived a simple life, Espilogo said. As far as he knows, Atutubo did not have enemies or threats to his life.
Councilor Caesar Distrito, who personally knows the victim, confirmed that Atutubo was handling drug cases.
Such incident “has no place in a civilized society,” said the councilor, a lawyer by profession.
“If lawyers can be killed in a city, publicly…how much more poor, simple individuals?” said Distrito.
“I challenge the BCPO and all law enforcement agencies to…find the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” he added./PN
