The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Tuesday (Dec. 22) urged the government to address the continued killing of lawyers in the country.

“The unabated killing of lawyers, too often with impunity, is a sad reflection of the spiralling violence and disregard of, if not contempt for the rule of law in our land,” said IBP President Domingo Egon Cayosa in a statement.
 
Cayosa issued the statement after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed that the remains which was recovered in Capas, Tarlac last Oct. 30 was that of missing retired Court of Appeals (CA) Justice Normandie Pizarro.
 
For its part, Cayosa said the IBP has been engaged in “novel and proactive measures for lawyer security and justice for our slain colleagues.”
 
“As we recognize our responsibilities and limitations, we seek concerted action on the part of our leaders in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, many of whom are fellow-lawyers,” the IBP chief said.
 
“We appeal to those who have been entrusted with great authority, power and public funds to do MORE, BETTER, FASTER lest shocking situations where law enforcers/peace keepers readily and publicly shoot helpless unarmed neighbors-mother and son become the norm,” he added.  
 
Aside from the government, Cayosa said the IBP also “encourage and support lawyer groups and lawyers as well as other sectors to contribute to a common clamor and action to STOP KILLINGS and END IMPUNITY.”
 
NBI Officer-In-Charge Director Eric Distor said on Monday that the remains recovered in Capas, Tarlac underwent DNA testing that was conducted by the NBI’s forensic division.
 
“DNA match 99.99 percent po,” the NBI chief said.
 
The NBI recovered the remains of Pizarro who was believed brutally killed after the magistrate’s family reported him missing.