Lawyer John “Jal” Laylo, the Filipino attorney who was shot in the United States while visiting relatives, has passed away.
According to his mother, Leah Bustamante Laylo, John passed away early on Monday morning (Philippine time).
“I thank God for the 35 years of his life. I’m beyond grateful for having a good, smart, generous, loving, caring son. These are the adjectives I can think of now. I’m lost of words!” Leah said on Facebook.
The two were visiting family in Philadelphia while in the United States. An unknown assailant opened fire on them while riding in an Uber taxi en route to the airport.
In a text message to GMA News, New York-based Consul General Elmer Cato said, “We had a shooting incident in Philadelphia this morning that wounded a 36-year-old Filipino lawyer visiting from the Philippines.”
“He and his mother were on their way to the airport at about 4 a.m. to catch flight to Chicago when shots were fired at Uber car they were riding in. Victim was hit in the head by one of six bullets fired by suspect/suspects, and was later pronounced brain-dead at hospital,” Cato’s text message continued.
Filipino lawyer visiting US shot dead
To identify the suspect or suspects, investigators are searching for CCTV footage of the incident.
“I can’t explain the pain the heaviness I have in my heart. It took me hours to post this because still I can’t believe this happened!” Leah said.
The victim’s family is currently making plans to return his remains to the Philippines.
As an attorney, John worked for Senator Leila de Lima and the previous secretary of the interior, Mar Roxas. He was also one of Vice President Leni Robredo’s attorneys during the recount of votes in the May 2022 elections, in which Robredo stood for president.
“I ask for prayers for Jal’s healing and recovery. Let us also call for justice for this brutal and senseless act. Walang puwang dapat ang ganitong karahasan sa mundo. Dapat mapanagot agad ang maysala at matigil na ang ganitong mga karumal-dumal na krimen,” de Lima tweeted whe she learned about the incident.
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