MALACAÑANG on Saturday vowed to bring justice to lawyer Maria Saniata Liwliwa Gonzalez Alzate, who was gunned down on Thursday (September 14) in Bangued, Abra.

In a statement, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said that authorities are currently conducting “hot pursuit operations” to apprehend those behind the killing.

“We join our brothers and sisters in the legal profession in condemning the killing of Atty. Alzate, who was mercilessly gunned down in front of her home [in] the afternoon of 14 September 2023,” Bersamin said.

“We will ensure that our law enforcement agencies will work relentlessly to bring to justice those behind this heinous act. Hot pursuit operations are already ongoing, and we call upon our citizens to remain vigilant,” he added.

Bersamin also offered sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of Alzate, whom he described as “a fearless and steadfast lawyer, principled in her practice of law, and unrelenting in her pursuit of justice.”

“She worked tirelessly both as a public interest lawyer and as a commissioner of bar discipline,” the Palace official said.

“Her death is a tragedy as well for the good province of Abra and for the legal profession,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) also issued on Saturday its strong condemnation of the killing of Alzate, who was known for providing free legal services to poor clients.

Alzate was gunned down in public and in broad daylight while she was parking her car outside her house along Santiago Street, Zone 2, in Bangued.

Initial reports showed two unidentified assailants on board a motorcycle got close to the lawyer’s vehicle and opened fire at least eight times.

Alzate was the former president of the Abra chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), a public interest lawyer, and an IBP commissioner of Bar Discipline since 2015.

“CHR strongly condemns the killing of another lawyer and joins the call for law enforcement agencies to urgently pursue the perpetrators of this violence so they may be brought to justice,” the CHR said in a statement.

It added that in the midst of calls to address impunity, threats and attacks against the members of the legal profession directly affront the rule of law.

The commission stressed that the role of courts, lawyers and judges is crucial in administering justice, as well as in uncovering the truth, especially for gross human rights violations.

“It is in the best interest of the government to protect lawyers so they may do their duty of ensuring justice without fear of threats and retaliation, especially for those who continue to stand up for the rights and interest of the weak, vulnerable, and marginalized members of the society,” the commission added.

Citing Proclamation 713, series of 2004, declaring September as Rule of Law Month, CHR said, “This declaration stands as a reminder on the value of demonstrating equal protection under our laws, including ensuring that crimes and violations of rights simply do not go scot-free because even lawyers are under attack.”