Lawyer-congressmen are demanding action from law enforcers as far as the shocking ambush of Manila City Prosecutor’s Office inquest division chief Jovencio Senados last week is concerned.
"We call on the DOJ (Department of Justice), the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), the PNP (Philippine National Police), and all law-enforcement arms of the government to join forces and resources to immediately place behind bars all those responsible, particularly the mastermind, of this despicable act," Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo said.
"This dastardly act has no place in a civilized society governed by a rule of law," stressed Salo, head of the House contingent to the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET).
He said the murder, which was carried out by unidentified gunmen in broad daylight last July 7, reminded people just how dangerous lawyers' profession can be.
"And yet, more people aspire to become a lawyer because of the social good that it brings to society, particularly the role lawyers play in the delivery of justice," said the second-term solon.
Also decrying Senados' killing was Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles. “I urge our authorities to exhaust all means to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. We cannot allow such blatant disregard of our laws,” he said.
Nograles, a neophyte solon in the 18th Congress, reiterated the need for the creation of a special task force composed of representatives from the DOJ, the PNP, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to address the growing number of killings involving lawyers.
Senados, 62, is reportedly the 50th lawyer or judge slain since 2016, the year when the Duterte administration began.
"We need immediate action and results to assure our people that they can seek redress in our legal system without fear of reprisal," said Nograles, vice-chairman of the House Committee on Justice.
He said the continuing murder of lawyers, prosecutors, and judges has a chilling effect on the proper dispensation of justice in the country. “Failure to protect our law practitioners will discourage our people from obtaining justice."
Last year, Nograles filed House Resolution (HR) No. 185 calling for an inquiry into the killings of law practitioners. The solon batted for the creation of the task force "that would enforce legal action and bring those accountable to justice."