Bohol human rights lawyer dies at 73

Lawyer Artemio Cabatos in an undated photo during a rally in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. Photo courtesy of Gabriela Bohol

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol – Human rights lawyer Artemio Cabatos who was tagged as a “rebel” for fighting against extrajudicial killings and the rights of farmers in Central Visayas died on Sunday due to a lingering illness.

He was 73.

A former Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Bohol chair, Cabatos earned the moniker “People’s Lawyer” for handling cases pro-bono.

Cabatos served as counsel for the victims of human rights abuses during martial law, as well as farmers.

In 2009, the military tagged Cabatos as a rebel when he questioned extra-judicial killings in Bohol and other human rights abuses.

Cause-oriented and progressive groups such as Hugpong sa mga Mag-uumang Bol-anon (Humabol), Karapatan, Gabriel-Bohol gave their “labing taas nga pagsaludo” (highest salute).

“A firebrand lawyer, a passionate speaker who never fails to draw a crowd, a topnotch Boholano attorney who defended poor farmers, the oppressed and exploited- pro bono. Pinakamataas na pagpupugay Atty. Artemio R. Cabato, our People’s Lawyer. Rest in power,” Gabriela-Bohol posted on their Facebook account.

Cabatos’ daughter, Jocelyn Cabatos-Orcullo, said a “fighter has just declared game is over. Thank you, ‘Tay for the most colorful memories and life lessons. This is the most painful fact we have to endure.”

His remains lie in Poblacion Occidental in Valencia town, Bohol. Interment schedule will be announced later./lb