IBP urges SC to ensure ‘prompt, impartial’ probe on killing of lawyers
MANILA, Philippines — The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Monday urged the Supreme Court to ensure a “thorough, prompt, impartial, and independent” probe on the killing of lawyers since Duterte assumed office.
The IBP’s call came after AKO Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe, a member of the organization, was killed on Saturday after a gift-giving event in Albay.
“We join other sectors in condemning his daylight assassination, even as we remain shocked by the audacity of the concerted action that can only find success in an environment that fosters impunity,” Abdiel Dan Elijah Fajardo, IBP President, said in a statement.
Fajardo said that a day before Batocabe’s killing, Erfe del Castillo, a member of IBP Negros Occidental, survived an ambushed in Talisay, Negros Occidental.
He also cited that in November, lawyer Benjamin Ramos, was shot dead by two unidentified men at the public plaza of Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
Ramos, the Secretary General of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL)-Negros, was assisting the families of the victims of the Sagay 9 Massacre.
Article continues after this advertisement“Via an open online petition, beginning with seventy-eight (78) lawyers who agreed to append their names thereto, we respectfully urge the Supreme Court of the Philippines, through the Honorable Chief Justice, to take immediate action to protect lawyers in the Philippines as they perform their function to protect their clients’ rights and uphold the rule of law,” Fajardo said.
The IBP, he said, is urging the Supreme Court to “take appropriate steps to ensure a thorough, prompt, impartial, and independent investigation into all the killings of lawyers from 30 June 2016.”
“Convene a dialogue between the Supreme Court, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, State security forces, particularly the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, other relevant government agencies, civil society organizations, and other lawyer organizations, where all parties could engage in open and constructive discussion on ensuring the safety and security of lawyers,” it added. /je
