We condemn in the strongest possible terms the evidently premeditated killing of Prosecutor Maria Ronatay.
We ask everyone to join us in praying for the  eternal repose of Prosecutor Ronatay’s soul. I will order today the National Bureau of Investigation to thoroughly investigate this incident. In addition, we should  look into ways and means to assist all our prosecutors in expeditiously obtaining permits to carry firearms.  
                                                                                                                      - Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II

“Dastardly and evil,” this is how Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II reacted to the news that Rizal Provincial Prosecutor Maria Ronatay was gunned down and killed by persons riding in tandem in Rizal Province.

“I will issue today a department order to the NBI to thoroughly investigate this incident. We need to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Secretary Aguirre added.

“On behalf of the DOJ Family, I offer our solemn condolences to the family of Prosecutor Ronatay. In addition, our prosecutors cannot be hapless sitting ducks. We should also take a very serious look at possible ways and means to assist our prosecutors obtain licenses to carry firearms as an additional protective measure,” Secretary Aguirre added further.