CEBU CITY — A lawyer handling high-profile cases was ambushed early Monday morning, Sept. 2, 2019, just as he left the Cebu City Hall of Justice at Quimondo bldg. along North Reclamation area.
Atty. Inocencio dela Cerna just left the compound of the Hall of Justice when two men riding-in-tandem started shooting at him.
Dela Cerna was onboard his Land Cruiser when the gunman started shooting on the driver’s side.
The lawyer, who was able to avoid the shots, speed off, but upon reaching the office of Robles Shipping, the suspects started shooting at him again.
Upon reaching the intersection of Alviola St. and Osmeña St. dela Cerna, he stopped the car and took his firearm and disembarked. He shoots it out with the suspects.
Dela Cerna in a radio interview said that when the suspects saw him armed with a firearm, they withdrew.
According to Waterfront Police, dela Cerna only suffered minor injuries caused by the shattered glass from his car.
The lawyer said he received no threats on his life and cannot ascertain yet the motive of the shooting.
Dela Cerna is considering three angles behind the attempt on his life.
First is the multi-billion-peso case involving prominent families in Cebu.
Dela Cerna is the lawyer of the accused and was able to get bail for his client’s temporary release.
The second case involved a celebrated case involving former government officials. The star witness who during the last hearing was found lying have connections with the military, dela Cerna said.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7 is now handling the case and is providing his security.