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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP orders in-depth probe into PPA lawyer's killing in Palawan

PNP orders in-depth probe into PPA lawyer's killing in Palawan

Published Sep 19, 2025 09:57 am
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. (File photo: PNP)
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. (File photo: PNP)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) ordered on Friday, Sept. 19, a thorough investigation into the killing of a lawyer who was an official of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in Palawan.
Acting PNP Chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), under the leadership of acting director Police Major Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II, to form a special probe team focused on solving the killing of lawyer Joshua Abrina, administrative division officer-in-charge of the PPA’s Port Management Office-Palawan.
“The Philippine National Police condemns in the strongest terms this senseless act of violence perpetrated against Atty. Joshua Abrina. Justice must be served and as such, I have already ordered the Director, CIDG to create a special investigating team to identify, arrest, and file airtight cases against those involved in the soonest possible time,” he said.
Based on the initial investigation, Abrina had just arrived home in Brgy. San Jose, Puerto Princesa, Palawan following a prayer meeting with his family when a still unidentified gunman shot him at 8:15 p.m. on Sept. 17.
The victim was rushed to the hospital but he was declared dead on arrival.
Nartatez said all possible motives of the crime will be looked into by the police investigators.
“Lahat ng posibleng motibo ay ating titingnan upang mapanagot kung sino man ang sangkot sa krimeng ito. Layunin nating mabigyan ng hustisya ang biktima pati na rin ang kanyang pamilya (We will look into all possible motives to hold accountable whoever is involved in this crime. Our goal is to bring justice to the victim as well as to his family),” he said.
The Puerto Princesa City Police Office, meanwhile, said investigators have begun gathering testimonies from witnesses and backtracking of closed circuit television (CCTV) footages to piece together the puzzle.
Nartatez urged the public to report any information they may have about the case that could help speed up its resolution.
He also assured the legal community and the public of the PNP’s commitment to justice and to preventing similar incidents from happening again.

Related Tags

PNP PPA lawyer crime killing Palawan Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
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