IT’S BEEN almost a month since Cebuano human rights lawyer Rex Fernandez was gunned down by an unknown assailant, but no one has yet been charged for his murder, said officials of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City chapter.
But lawyer Regal Oliva, IBP Cebu City chapter president, said she understands why investigators on the case cannot yet pinpoint a possible suspect or mastermind behind Fernandez’s murder.
Oliva admits that while the investigation on Fernandez’s murder may have been stalled for now, she also understands the need for investigators to “slow down” especially since they are still gathering more evidence to support possible leads.
She added that the lack of eyewitnesses in the shooting is also one factor as to why investigators have yet to pinpoint a possible suspect or mastermind.
“We cannot even mistake other people to be the gunman with that graphic sketch that the police released, but we are really at the stall or halt right now as regards the investigation of Atty. Rex. I hope that this can be solved immediately,” Oliva told SunStar Cebu.
On August 26, 2021, Fernandez was gunned down by a lone assailant while onboard his car in Banawa, Cebu City.
Only Fernandez’s companions, namely his driver and real estate agent Rosinda Acot, survived the ambush.
Initially, the IBP Cebu City chapter had sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a parallel investigation on Fernandez’s murder.
The Cebu City Police Office is currently the main investigators in the case.
The Supreme Court also declared that it will conduct its own investigation on the matter. (KFD)