(Updated 12:59 p.m.)- Chief Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco of the Cavite Prosecutor's Office passed away after suffering a heart attack Monday morning, May 20.
According to a report on GMA News TV's News To Go, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima confirmed the death of Velasco.
Velasco, a former journalist, chairs the Presidential Task Force Against Media Harassment and once handled the investigation on the disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos.
In a statement, De Lima described Velasco as one of the "standout members" of the National Prosecution Service.
"His reputation for being dedicated, to the point of being tenacious and stubborn, especially about his duties as a public servant, preceded him," she said.
De Lima said the prosecutor always had strong opinions "but he appeared to be the type who didn't let the unpopularity of a particular decision or action deter him from doing what he believed was right."
The Justice chief said Velasco welcomed her when she was appointed to the Department of Justice by President Benigno Aquino III in 2010.
"(His) strength of character undoubtedly served him well through the many challenges he faced as a public prosecutor and as head of the Provincial Prosecutor's Office in Cavite," she said.
De Lima said Velasco's death was a "great loss" to Cavite, the National Prosecution Service and the DOJ. —Amanda Fernandez and Mark Merueñas/KG, GMA News
Accessed on May 20, 2013; 4:46PM. Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/309179/news/nation/cavite-prosecutor-emmanuel-velasco-dies-of-heart-attack