Lawyer Maria Saniata Liwliwa Gonzales Alzate was shot dead insdie her car, parked in front of their house in Abra, on September 14, 2023
A local prosecutor pushed to file a murder charge against the suspect in the killing of an Abra lawyer in September last year.
In a resolution dated February 6, but was only publicized on Friday, February 16, Abra acting provincial prosecutor Daryl Fajardo indicted or recommended the filing of charge against Angelo Infante Indon (also known as Angelo Alfonso) and his unidentified companion for the murder of lawyer Maria Saniata Liwliwa Gonzales Alzate on September 14, 2023.
The prosecutor said that they filed a murder charge because of the treachery and premeditation of the crime.
The case will be filed with the Bangued, Abra Regional Trial Court.
Alzate was killed while inside her car, parked right in front of their house, in Santiago street, Zone 2, Bangued town – Abra’s capital. The two motorcycle-riding assailants fled after shooting her. The lawyer was brought to a nearby hospital, but later expired due to the gunshot wounds she sustained.
It took almost five months before the complaint reached a resolution because the Abra provincial prosecutor was asked by lawyer Raphiel Alzate, the slain lawyer’s husband, to inhibit from the case. Among the reasons cited in the inhibition was the previous filing of a case against the slain lawyer by the Abra prosecutor.
In deciding on the complaint, Fajardo said he was convinced through various evidence – such as several affidavits, CCTV footage, and autopsy report – that murder had been committed, with reasonable certainty that Indon committed it.
The prosecutor noted that the suspects waited for the lawyer to arrive at her house and “took that moment when the victim would less expect that she will be attacked.” With this, Alzate was caught by surprise and could not defend herself, the prosecutor added.
He added that the acts of the suspects – which include the purchasing of a motorcycle and the respondent’s decision to head to Bangued, even though he was a resident of Nueva Ecija – revealed his intent to commit the alleged crime.
“Respondents underwent a process of meditation, and tenacious persistence in the accomplishment of the criminal act,” the prosecutor added.
More Sources
The Philippines: Murder case recommended vs suspect in slay of lawyer who aided drug war victims
