Atty. Espera's wake
Atty. Espera (RIP)..
Statement on the Murder of Antique Lawyer John Mark Espera
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) joins its Iloilo Chapter in condemning the senseless murder of an esteemed colleague in the legal profession, Atty. John Mark Espera.
He was gunned down 11:30 am, yesterday, August 31, in Brgy. Pu-ao, Hamtic town, Antique. The police recovered spent shells from several firearms at the scene of the crime, some 20 meters from the residence of principal suspect Police Officer 3 Jose Suarez assigned at the Tobias Fornier Police Station, Antique.
Suarez surrendered but the police is still hunting for his younger brother Rico and a cousin, also suspects in the killings, which based on the number of empty shells recovered at the scene, suggested that they must have ambushed their victim.
Atty. Espera, 39, could have a bright future had not for the attack that snuffed out his young life. He was an allied lawyer and also an active defender of the rights of political detainees.
The killing is a chilling reminder how cheap life is, even that of a lawyer, nowadays and, worse, perpetrated as it is by a police officer who is duty-sworn to protect lives and properties.
Whaterver the ultimate reason and motive to be uncovered for this senseless cold-blooded murder, there are indications that this may be an attack on him by virtue of the exercise of his profession. In any case, this is unacceptable in any cvilized society.
We call on the authorities to throroughly investigate, arrest the culprits and immediately file appropriate criminal charges against them.
We join those calling for justice for Atty. John Mark Espera as well as for all lawyers being attacked.
Reference:
Edre U. Olalia
Secretary General
09175113373
Additional report:
The widow, Atty. Ruby Espera quotes autopsy report that at least three different firearms were used on the victim based on the slugs recovered from his body -- an M16 a slug of which lodged in the head, three pellets of 12-gauge shotgun which hit his stomach and two .22 cal. a slug of which was found in the stomach, indicating the assailants used three types of firearms against their victim.
The suspects say that the victim first strafed their residence at Brgy. Pu-ao but Ruby counters that her husband never fired a firearms and that the suspects first shot her husband who was already in a ditch. The bursts of gunfire that followed until the arrival of the police were fired by the suspects while their victim was lying lifeless in the digging.
The autopsy, done by the National Bureau of Investigation, found the victim negative of powder burns, that is, he did not fire any gun, disputing the suspects' allegations.
Atty. Von Bedona, IBP-Western Visayas president, issued a statement condemning the attack on Atty. Espera. The latter went to Pu-ao to meet a witness who had earlier executed a sworn statement in defense of his client, his cousin Mayor Julius Pacificador of the same town, which thus, pointed out that the lawyer was attacked in line of duty.
Pacificador was the respondent in an election protest filed by a relative of the suspects against Pacificador with the Commission on Elections.
The wiitness is a neighbor of the suspects who got wind of the lawyer's arrival, which explained for their preparedness as shown how they were armed when their victim passed by from the witness's residence.
__________________________
Antique police urged to hasten investigation/Panay News (Sept. 8, 2013)
BY PRINCE GOLEZ, Manila Reporter
MANILA – The police of Antique should “work double-time” to solve the killing of Atty. John Mark Espera of Hamtic town, said Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III.
Pimentel joined calls for a speedy investigation of the case
The 39-year-old Espera was shot to death on August 31 in Brgy. Pu-ao, Hamtic.
The suspects were four Suarez brothers, one of whom was a policeman.
The policeman suspect, PO1 Jose Suarez surrendered to the police right after the shooting but his three brothers – Virgilio, Rico and Raymundo – have yet to surface as of press time.
Pimentel, who chairs the Senate justice and human rights committee, said the “brutal” execution of Espera has alarmed lawyers and law-abiding citizens.
“Many lawyers are working pro-bono just to help find justice for aggrieved parties, especially in the countryside. The slaying of Espera allegedly by a policeman, who is tasked to serve and protect the public, is a case in contrast,” Pimentel lamented.
The National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) and its Iloilo Chapter demanded an investigation.
“The killing was a chilling reminder how cheap life is, even that of a lawyer, nowadays…” NUPL said in a statement.
Whatever the reason and motive to be uncovered for the “senseless, cold-blooded murder,” NUPL said there were indications it may be an attack on Espera “by virtue of the exercise of his profession.”
“In any case, this is unacceptable in any civilized society,” the group stressed.
Espera was an allied lawyer of NUPL. The group said he was an “active defender of the rights of political detainees.”/PN
_______________________
Statement from Atty. Ruby Espera
Good afternoon and thank you for coming.
The past few days have been a traumatic struggle for me and my family. We are made to accept and cope with the sad reality of my husband, Atty. John Mark F. Espera’s passing. This tragedy is even more devastating due to the manner by which his life was taken from us. His death was untimely, unexpected and most of all unjustified.
At the onset, our family has decided to lie low from all the media exposure in order to focus attention on my two bereaved children and to ensure that John Mark is given the burial rites he so rightfully deserve, one that is peaceful and intimate. However, my family and I could not stomach how some could spread lies about my husband’s character and machinate at the circumstances surrounding his demise. I could no longer keep silent and allow other people to come clean before the public, pretend to show sympathy and concern just to get media exposure at the expense of John Mark.
In the morning of August 31, John Mark went about his daily routine in taking care of our household. I knew he had to go to Pu-ao, a nearby barangay, to attend to some legal matters concerning a witness in a case which he is handling. Little did I know that it would be my last moments with him.
What is being circulated is that, Atty. John Mark and his companion Romeo Gasalao took the first blow and allegedly strafed the residence of PO3 Jose Suarez.
I wish to point out that the same is a blatant LIE. To set the record straight, John Mark never fired a gun. His paraffin test result confirms this. John Mark went to that fateful place to carry out his duties as an officer of the court.
But, while he was already approaching his car parked by the national highway, he was confronted and provoked by Virgilio Suarez. This led to a fistfight wherein he fell down the canal. Right then, PO3 Jose Suarez arrived with Provincial Guard Rico Suarez, and with the use a 12 gauge shot gun, PO3 Jose Suarez shot my husband in the stomach, while Romeo Gasalao was disarmed by Provincial Guard Rico Suarez. John Mark was struggling to get himself up when Reymund Suarez also appeared and fired at my husband down in the canal with a .22 caliber firearm, then Virgilio Suarez the person who first challenged John Mark for a fistfight shot him in his head causing his instantaneous death. Thereafter, the four Suarez siblings brought Romeo Gasalao to their residence and was forced to fire, first the M16 rifle and the .45 caliber pistol, until the responding police arrived and the Suarez brothers had to scamper to evade arrest.
The medico legal test would show that John Mark obtained four (4) gunshot wounds from three (3) different fire arms. All the documents and testimonies we have on hand would readily support this contention.
John Mark was far from perfect just as no one is. But his passion for truth and justice, genuine compassion for those in need, sincerity, selflessness, and deep love for his family will always be a legacy by which I would want him to be remembered.
Despite his unexpected passing, I know my husband is at peace. I just wish the same for the conscience of those who remain at large… and of those who continue to use his death for personal motives in the guise of sympathizing with the aggrieved and the people.
While we mourn over the loss of John Mark, we take comfort in the presence of many people who have been with us during these trying times all of whom we sincerely wish to thank. I continue to ask everyone for your prayers and that one day my husband’s death may see justice.
Thank you.
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) joins its Iloilo Chapter in condemning the senseless murder of an esteemed colleague in the legal profession, Atty. John Mark Espera.
He was gunned down 11:30 am, yesterday, August 31, in Brgy. Pu-ao, Hamtic town, Antique. The police recovered spent shells from several firearms at the scene of the crime, some 20 meters from the residence of principal suspect Police Officer 3 Jose Suarez assigned at the Tobias Fornier Police Station, Antique.
Suarez surrendered but the police is still hunting for his younger brother Rico and a cousin, also suspects in the killings, which based on the number of empty shells recovered at the scene, suggested that they must have ambushed their victim.
Atty. Espera, 39, could have a bright future had not for the attack that snuffed out his young life. He was an allied lawyer and also an active defender of the rights of political detainees.
The killing is a chilling reminder how cheap life is, even that of a lawyer, nowadays and, worse, perpetrated as it is by a police officer who is duty-sworn to protect lives and properties.
Whaterver the ultimate reason and motive to be uncovered for this senseless cold-blooded murder, there are indications that this may be an attack on him by virtue of the exercise of his profession. In any case, this is unacceptable in any cvilized society.
We call on the authorities to throroughly investigate, arrest the culprits and immediately file appropriate criminal charges against them.
We join those calling for justice for Atty. John Mark Espera as well as for all lawyers being attacked.
Reference:
Edre U. Olalia
Secretary General
09175113373
Additional report:
The widow, Atty. Ruby Espera quotes autopsy report that at least three different firearms were used on the victim based on the slugs recovered from his body -- an M16 a slug of which lodged in the head, three pellets of 12-gauge shotgun which hit his stomach and two .22 cal. a slug of which was found in the stomach, indicating the assailants used three types of firearms against their victim.
The suspects say that the victim first strafed their residence at Brgy. Pu-ao but Ruby counters that her husband never fired a firearms and that the suspects first shot her husband who was already in a ditch. The bursts of gunfire that followed until the arrival of the police were fired by the suspects while their victim was lying lifeless in the digging.
The autopsy, done by the National Bureau of Investigation, found the victim negative of powder burns, that is, he did not fire any gun, disputing the suspects' allegations.
Atty. Von Bedona, IBP-Western Visayas president, issued a statement condemning the attack on Atty. Espera. The latter went to Pu-ao to meet a witness who had earlier executed a sworn statement in defense of his client, his cousin Mayor Julius Pacificador of the same town, which thus, pointed out that the lawyer was attacked in line of duty.
Pacificador was the respondent in an election protest filed by a relative of the suspects against Pacificador with the Commission on Elections.
The wiitness is a neighbor of the suspects who got wind of the lawyer's arrival, which explained for their preparedness as shown how they were armed when their victim passed by from the witness's residence.
__________________________
Antique police urged to hasten investigation/Panay News (Sept. 8, 2013)
BY PRINCE GOLEZ, Manila Reporter
MANILA – The police of Antique should “work double-time” to solve the killing of Atty. John Mark Espera of Hamtic town, said Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III.
Pimentel joined calls for a speedy investigation of the case
The 39-year-old Espera was shot to death on August 31 in Brgy. Pu-ao, Hamtic.
The suspects were four Suarez brothers, one of whom was a policeman.
The policeman suspect, PO1 Jose Suarez surrendered to the police right after the shooting but his three brothers – Virgilio, Rico and Raymundo – have yet to surface as of press time.
Pimentel, who chairs the Senate justice and human rights committee, said the “brutal” execution of Espera has alarmed lawyers and law-abiding citizens.
“Many lawyers are working pro-bono just to help find justice for aggrieved parties, especially in the countryside. The slaying of Espera allegedly by a policeman, who is tasked to serve and protect the public, is a case in contrast,” Pimentel lamented.
The National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) and its Iloilo Chapter demanded an investigation.
“The killing was a chilling reminder how cheap life is, even that of a lawyer, nowadays…” NUPL said in a statement.
Whatever the reason and motive to be uncovered for the “senseless, cold-blooded murder,” NUPL said there were indications it may be an attack on Espera “by virtue of the exercise of his profession.”
“In any case, this is unacceptable in any civilized society,” the group stressed.
Espera was an allied lawyer of NUPL. The group said he was an “active defender of the rights of political detainees.”/PN
_______________________
Statement from Atty. Ruby Espera
Good afternoon and thank you for coming.
The past few days have been a traumatic struggle for me and my family. We are made to accept and cope with the sad reality of my husband, Atty. John Mark F. Espera’s passing. This tragedy is even more devastating due to the manner by which his life was taken from us. His death was untimely, unexpected and most of all unjustified.
At the onset, our family has decided to lie low from all the media exposure in order to focus attention on my two bereaved children and to ensure that John Mark is given the burial rites he so rightfully deserve, one that is peaceful and intimate. However, my family and I could not stomach how some could spread lies about my husband’s character and machinate at the circumstances surrounding his demise. I could no longer keep silent and allow other people to come clean before the public, pretend to show sympathy and concern just to get media exposure at the expense of John Mark.
In the morning of August 31, John Mark went about his daily routine in taking care of our household. I knew he had to go to Pu-ao, a nearby barangay, to attend to some legal matters concerning a witness in a case which he is handling. Little did I know that it would be my last moments with him.
What is being circulated is that, Atty. John Mark and his companion Romeo Gasalao took the first blow and allegedly strafed the residence of PO3 Jose Suarez.
I wish to point out that the same is a blatant LIE. To set the record straight, John Mark never fired a gun. His paraffin test result confirms this. John Mark went to that fateful place to carry out his duties as an officer of the court.
But, while he was already approaching his car parked by the national highway, he was confronted and provoked by Virgilio Suarez. This led to a fistfight wherein he fell down the canal. Right then, PO3 Jose Suarez arrived with Provincial Guard Rico Suarez, and with the use a 12 gauge shot gun, PO3 Jose Suarez shot my husband in the stomach, while Romeo Gasalao was disarmed by Provincial Guard Rico Suarez. John Mark was struggling to get himself up when Reymund Suarez also appeared and fired at my husband down in the canal with a .22 caliber firearm, then Virgilio Suarez the person who first challenged John Mark for a fistfight shot him in his head causing his instantaneous death. Thereafter, the four Suarez siblings brought Romeo Gasalao to their residence and was forced to fire, first the M16 rifle and the .45 caliber pistol, until the responding police arrived and the Suarez brothers had to scamper to evade arrest.
The medico legal test would show that John Mark obtained four (4) gunshot wounds from three (3) different fire arms. All the documents and testimonies we have on hand would readily support this contention.
John Mark was far from perfect just as no one is. But his passion for truth and justice, genuine compassion for those in need, sincerity, selflessness, and deep love for his family will always be a legacy by which I would want him to be remembered.
Despite his unexpected passing, I know my husband is at peace. I just wish the same for the conscience of those who remain at large… and of those who continue to use his death for personal motives in the guise of sympathizing with the aggrieved and the people.
While we mourn over the loss of John Mark, we take comfort in the presence of many people who have been with us during these trying times all of whom we sincerely wish to thank. I continue to ask everyone for your prayers and that one day my husband’s death may see justice.
Thank you.
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