The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) expressed its disgust as it condemned the “disturbing and increasing frequency of lawyer killings” in the country.
In a statement, IBP President Burt M. Estrada said that lawyers are “mandated to strive for justice, and they must be able to do so without fear of reprisal or violence.”
Estrada stressed that “our country cannot attain true independence and freedom when conformity is extracted by fear and criticisms silenced by force.”
The IBP’s statement was issued in reaction to the killing of lawyer Juan Macabadbad, vice chairman of the Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM), who was killed in front of his residence in Surallah, South Cotabato last Wednesday, Sept. 15.
“The IBP grieves and is appalled by the blatant assassinations of lawyers, judges, and prosecutors with impunity,” Estrada said.
Published reports showed that 58 lawyers have been killed, 34 judges slain with only two cases had resulted in convictions, and several prosecutors waylaid.
Because of Macabadbad’s killing, the IBP called for “a nationwide effort to protect our lawyers and judges.”
It said it will “continue to work with the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Philippine National Police to address and arrest these rising attacks against its members just as it calls upon our police and investigative agencies to formulate and implement specific measures to improve the security of lawyers, judges, and prosecutors and to expeditiously resolve its investigators on these killings so that the perpetrators are swiftly and truly held accountable.”
It also said it “will likewise assist in, and monitor the investigation and prosecution of his (Macabadbad’s) case so that the perpetrators can be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Estrada said the IBP has conveyed its condolences to the family, relatives and friends of Macabadbad.
He assured that the IBP will “endeavor to immediately process the release of the IBP benefits due to his heirs.”
Last Sept. 16, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said the inter-agency committee on extra-judicial killings (EJKs) is awaiting report from the police on the killing of Macabadbad.
“As part of standard procedure, the DOJ (Department of Justice) will await the report of local police investigators and evaluate whether the killing falls under the jurisdiction of the inter-agency committee on EJKs,” Guevarra said.
Guevarra is the chairman of the Inter-Agency Committee on Extra-Legal Killings, Enforced Disappearances, Torture and Other Grave Violations of the Right of Life, Liberty and Security of Persons created under Administrative Order No. 35.
In a strongly-worded statement, the UPLM has asked the government to conduct a swift investigation and prosecution of those behind Macabadbad’s killing.
With Macabadbad’s killing, “the Duterte administration added to its legacy the 58th lawyer and the third National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) member killed during his murderous regime,” UPLM Chairman Antonio C. Azarcon said in a statement.
“The culture of impunity pervades with the lack of serious investigation and prosecution over thousands of extra-judicial killings in the country,” Azarcon said.
He pointed out that if those in government continue to fail to stop the continued killings of lawyers, “then they should give way to those who have the moral ascendancy to bring back peace and justice to our country.”