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Inventory of lawyers killed since 2016 now complete -- Guevarra

Philippines | National

Inventory of lawyers killed since 2016 now complete -- Guevarra

By Jeffrey Damicog

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has completed its inventory of cases on lawyers who have been killed since President Duterte assumed office in 2016.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra
(TOTO LOZANO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO)

However, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Thursday night, March 11, refrained from making the inventory public as “more details are needed.”

He said the inventory was culled from the cases under investigation by the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), under preliminary investigation by the prosecution service, and undergoing trial in courts.

Last Monday, March 8, the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) said a total of 61 lawyers, including prosecutors and members of the judiciary, have been killed since 2016.

Guevarra ordered an inventory after the meeting between the DOJ and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) last Jan. 13 concerning the security and safety of lawyers.

The Supreme Court (SC) had also directed all trial courts to submit a list of cases on lawyers who were “either harassed, threatened, attacked or even killed.”

The SC order was issued through Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez whose office supervises all lower courts for the High Court.

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