AT LEAST eight lawyers were killed in Cebu since December 2016. The latest victim was human rights lawyer Rex Fernandez, who was gunned down Thursday, August 26, 2021, in Cebu City.
Here’s a timeline of the killings involving Cebu lawyers/prosecutors.
DECEMBER 22, 2016
GOERING PADERANGA
Lawyer Goering Paderanga, 62, died on December 22, 2016 after he and his son, Gerik, were shot by Jonathan Sanchez, security guard of a construction site, allegedly over the use of road space in Cebu City.
Goering was the husband of Cebu Regional Trial Court Judge Sylva Paderanga.
GERIK PADERANGA
(Photos courtesy of Lesley Caminade Vestil of TV5 Cebu)
Lawyer Gerik Paderanga, 37, died on December 25, 2016, three days after he and his father, Goering, were shot by a security guard of a construction firm. He succumbed to a gunshot wound in the nape.
The shooting of the Paderangas happened past 8 p.m. of December 22, 2016 outside their law firm on F. Ramos Street in Cebu City.
READ: Paderanga shooting ‘planned’
FEBRUARY 19, 2018
JONAH JOHN UNGAB
Lawyer Jonah John Ungab, who was vice mayor of Ronda town, died after he was shot inside his car by motorcycle-riding gunmen on North Reclamation Area, Cebu City on February 19, 2018. He was hit on the left side of the nape.
The shooting happened after Ungab attended a hearing of his client, suspected big-time drug lord Kerwin Espinosa. He was driving his Suzuki Ciaz car from Qimonda Building Complex, where the Cebu City Hall of Justice was situated, and was crossing corner Sergio Osmeña Boulevard when he was shot.
JULY 2, 2018
SALVADOR SOLIMA
Lawyer Salvador Solima, 67, died after two men who posed as clients shot him and his wife, Verose, inside their home on 4th St., Singson Village, Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City past 5:30 p.m. of July 2, 2018. Solima was shot in the nape and chest.
JANUARY 17, 2019
MARY ANN CASTRO
Mary Ann Castro, 49, former Cebu City assistant prosecutor, was shot dead by an unidentified man on a motorcycle at 9:53 p.m. of January 17 along Escario St., Cebu City. She was driving a yellow Nissan Juke car when the shooting happened. She sustained a single gunshot wound to her neck.
NOVEMBER 23, 2020
JOEY LUIS WEE
Joey Luis Wee, 51, a lawyer who had handled high-profile cases, was shot by one of two motorcycle-riding men on November 23, 2020 outside his law office at Alchi Business Center on J. Panis St. in Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City.
DECEMBER 17, 2020
BABY MARIA CONCEPCION LANDERO-OLE
Lawyer Baby Maria Concepcion Landero-Ole was gunned down in broad daylight by motorcycle-riding men on December 17, 2020 in Barangay Looc, Danao City. She was onboard her pick-up when ambushed by gunmen.
AUGUST 26, 2021
REX JESUS MARIO FERNANDEZ
Veteran lawyer Rex Jesus Mario Fernandez, 62, was shot to death by a man in Banawa, Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City at 4:10 p.m. of August 26, 2021. He succumbed to gunshot wounds in different parts of his body.
He was a founding member of NUPL and served as counsel for victims of human rights violations in Central Visayas.
Below is an interactive timeline. View in full screen.
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Sources: SunStar, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers