THE family of Ronda, Cebu Vice Mayor Jonnah John Ungab, who was killed in an ambush on February 19, appealed to the public to suspend any conclusion or opinion about the lawyer and instead help them find those responsible for his death.
In a press conference on Wednesday, February 21, Ungab's wife, Pearl, his brother Jonald Gracio, his mother Alma, and his nephew John Majed sought the assistance of anyone who witnessed the ambush to "help us find those persons who think they can just murder someone who is exercising his duties to help his family."
Ungab, lawyer of self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, died after he was shot inside his car by motorcycle-riding gunmen on North Reclamation Area, Cebu City, on Monday, February 19.
Superintendent Artemio Ricabo, Cebu City Police Office spokesperson, said Ungab was shot after attending a hearing of his client, Espinosa, for violation of the Omnibus Election Code (gun ban) and Illegal Possession of Firearms cases filed in 2010.
Ungab 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.
He was with his wife, Pearl, inside the vehicle during the incident.
Pearl said that on the morning of the ambush, they received a text message asking whether Ungab would choose his life or his client's.
Ungab did not hesitate to put his client in another vehicle and chose to ride with her, Pearl added.
"It is not easy being in our situation when you are under the public scrutiny and anyone has a ready judgment just because my husband happens to handle a very sensitive case. I, as a grieving wife, ask you to help me bring the truth to come out," Pearl said. (Kevin A. Lagunda/SunStar Cebu)