The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will launch its own investigation into the death of human rights lawyer Juan Macabadbad, vice chairman of the Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM), who was gunned down in South Cotabato last Sept. 15.
“CHR strongly denounces this latest killing of another agent of law and an active defender of people's rights and interest,” Spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement.
De Guia said the CHR laments the relentless killings of lawyers in the country which contribute to the erosion of rule of law and create a chilling effect on those working for the pursuit of justice.
“It is crucial that lawyers and human rights advocates are able to do their noble work without fear of reprisal and retribution,” she said.
Thus, the CHR urges the government to quickly act to protect lawyers and human rights advocates.
“We continue to ask the government for swift action and proactive efforts that will ensure the protection of lawyers, including the vulnerable sectors that they represent,” De Guia said.
Reports stated that Macabadbad was shot multiple times, and was later declared dead on arrival upon reaching the hospital.
The gunmen reportedly fled onboard a motorcycle.
Several lawyers’ groups aside from the UPLM, have denounced the killing and have asked the government for immediate investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators.
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra had said that the inter-agency task force on extra-judicial killings he chairs was just waiting for the police report to determine if it will conduct a probe.