The family of slain Prosecutor Victor Begtang, Jr. of Conner, Apayao is offering P1 million to anyone who has useful information leading to the identity of persons responsible for his death.
Begtang, who was the deputy prosecutor of Ilagan City, Isabela, was shot dead on June 23 inside their family’s compound at Hanhan, Malama, Conner.
In a social media post titled, “Fiscal Victor Jun Domingo Begtang, CPA,” the family urged those with valuable information regarding his death to contact them.
“Pieces of information are subject to assessment and verification. Rest assured that your identities are well secured and protected,” the post reads.
On July 31, the family together with friends, church groups, private riders club, and other civic organizations in Conner joined a motorcade to demand justice, coinciding with the 40 days of the slain fiscal.
“My father never deserved what happened to him. He was a righteous man, a man I had always respected and admired. He was a humble man and someone who was loved a million times,” said Joseff Viktor Begtang, son of the slain prosecutor.
In an earlier statement by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, it stated he is the ninth state prosecutor and the 63rd lawyer killed under Duterte government.
“The IBP grieves and is appalled by the increasing and sheer number of assassinations of lawyers, judges, and prosecutors with impunity,” IBP national president Burt Estrada said.
He noted the “alarmingly increased” killings of the bar and the bench members, rising to as much as 500 percent under the current administration.
“In stark contrast, the number of lawyers killed during previous administrations stretching way back to 1972 was no less than 10 for each administration, with one administration even having no lawyer death ever recorded,” the IBP president added.
Estrada said they would assist the family in pursuing the case and monitor its development to ensure that “perpetrators can be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Those with information regarding Begtang’s death can contact the family through 0927-863-4851, or 0967-302-0934, or 0967-679-2887 or message the Facebook account: www.facebook.com/justiceforatty. – Ofelia C. Empian
April 25, 2024
