A botched murder attempt

“Violence is always the last option, but if that time comes, it is the ONLY option.”

—John Gilmour

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WHEN a thief intends to rob somebody in the street at night time, there’s no need for him to wear a ski mask—unless the robber targets a pawnshop or a grocery store where he can be identified through the CCTV if his face isn’t covered.

If the robber wants to steal only the victim’s laptop and documents, he doesn’t need a backup; the robber doesn’t need to use a screwdriver and stab the victim on his temple.  

We suspect the attackers of Atty. Angelo Karlo “AK” Guillen, assistant vice president of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), in Barangay Villa Anita, Iloilo City on March 3 evening were hired killers if not members of a powerful organization that specializes in summary execution.

Were they riding in tandem and following the 33-year-old lawyer with intention to shoot him, but decided to stab him after he slipped while running away after he spotted them?

Did the perpetrators panic or got nervous during the brief foot chase thus one of them was forced to use a screwdriver to stab Guillen but couldn’t finish off the unarmed but alert lawyer?

Did they take off with the victim’s laptop and documents to camouflage their real purpose which was to kill Guillen?

 -o0o-

 

If no cash and expensive valuables like cellphone and jewelry other than the lawyer’s laptop and documents were taken during the brazen attack, only fools wouldn’t believe that the “robbers” really had plans to kill Guillen.

It could be a case of a botched murder attempt.

But why would they be interested to kill him in the first place? 

This angle should be pursued by police investigators if they are really hellbent to solve the crime, which was widely and forcefully condemned by both Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas and other lawyers, human rights, and watchdog organizations in the country.

The cowardly assault on Guillen came after the Feb. 28 murder of Barangay Roosevelt, Roxas City Chair Julie Catamin, a key defense witness for the Tumandok represented by Guillen.

Were the twin attacks interrelated?

Authorities should pursue all angles and solve Guillen’s case.

They were speculations the government was involved in the brutal attack owing to the lawyer’s legal assistance to Tumandok and his open opposition to certain provisions of the controversial Anti-Terror Law now pending in the Supreme Court.

 

-o0o-

 

WE continue to ask the following questions as we go to the health center on March 5 afternoon in Brooklyn to get a schedule for the Covid-19 vaccination. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) answers them in its website.

—If I get vaccinated do I still need to wear a mask/face covering? 

“Yes, you will still need to wear a mask and follow other precautions. Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools available. Vaccines boost your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. Other steps, like masks and social distancing, help reduce your chance of being exposed to or spreading the virus.”

—Are there side effects to taking the vaccine?

“Some volunteers in vaccine trials have reported they frequently feel flu-like effects after getting vaccinated such as body aches, or even fever and a headache, federal health officials said.”

—Will I receive proof of having the vaccine?

“Vaccination cards will be used as the "simplest" way to keep track of Covid-19 shots, said Dr. Kelly Moore, associate director of the Immunization Action Coalition, which is supporting frontline workers who will administer Covid-19 vaccinations.”

“Everyone will be issued a written card that they can put in their wallet that will tell them what they had and when their next dose is due. Let's do the simple, easy thing first. Everyone's going to get that."

—If I had COVID-19, do I need the vaccine?

According to the CDC, there is not enough information currently available to say if or for how long after infection someone is protected from getting COVID-19 again; this is called natural immunity. 

Early evidence suggests natural immunity from COVID-19 may not last very long, but more studies are needed to better understand this. Until we have a vaccine available and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices makes recommendations to CDC on how to best use COVID-19 vaccines, CDC cannot comment on whether people who had COVID-19 should get a COVID-19 vaccine.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)