Lawyer Killed in Ambush

A prominent Cebu lawyer, along with his companion, was killed after unknown men fired shots at them past 2 pm Tuesday in Dalaguete town.

Lawyer Noel Archival and his friend Candido Miñoza were riding in a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) bound to Cebu City when they were ambushed in a reportedly secluded area along Brgy. Corro, Dalaguete town.

Attorney Archival and Miñoza died instantaneously after the ambush.

Archival’s driver, Alejandro Jayme and Paulo Cortez sustained gun shot wounds and were rushed to a hospital in Cebu City.

The office secretary of Archival, Gwen dela Rosa said the four victims were bound to Cebu after a court hearing in Dumaguete City, where Archival represented a client for a case.

Initial investigation said Attorney Archival and his companions were traveling back to the City, and upon passing Corro town in Dalaguete, a Hilux pick up suddenly ran past Archival’s vehicle and fired shots.

Trial court judges who knows Archival and colleagues were saddened by the news.

Attorney Archival, 52, was the brother of incumbent Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival.

As of this writing, Provincial Police Director Superintendent Noel Gillamac has ordered the extensive investigation of the incident.

Attorney Archival has handled high profile cases in Cebu. Among those he represented was PBMA leader Ruben Ecleo Jr., who was convicted for the murder of his wife Alona Bacolod-Ecleo.