ANOTHER prosecutor was gunned down earlier this week, the fifth government lawyer to be attacked under the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte. Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Maria S. Ronatay was shot dead by two unidentified men on board a motorcycle on July 18. Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II yesterday called the act as “dastardly and evil” as he ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe the incident. The Justice chief also said prosecutors should not be “hapless sitting ducks” and recommended that they be allowed to carry guns. “We should also take a very serious look at possible ways and means to assist our prosecutors to obtain licenses to carry firearms as an additional protective measure,” he said. Three other prosecutors have been killed in the last 12 months, namely: Rolando T. Acido (Mati City), Noel M. Mingoa (Quezon City ), and Diosdado Azarcon (Caloocan City). Surigao City Prosecutor Manuel N. Tesiorna was shot four times at his residence last February, but survived the attack. — Kristine Joy V. Patag
