Lawyer’s group denounces shooting of member in Davao

DAVAO City, Philippines—Members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in Davao condemned Friday night’s shooting and wounding of a lawyer here.

Lawyer Israelito Torreon, incoming president of the Davao chapter of the IBP, said the attack on Cres Dan Bangoy apparently had something to do with the cases he was handling.

“We are only advocating for and protecting the interests of our clients. If you are angry with us, we can discuss your hatred inside the courtrooms,” Torreon said Monday.

It is a given, Torreon said, that lawyers earn the ire of many but it is no justification for such an attack.

“Please do not go to the extent of killing us lawyers. I do hope that you understand that lawyers are only defending the interests of their clients and this should not be the reason to kill lawyers,” Torreon said.

Superintendent Jose Carumba, spokesman of the regional police command, said the investigation right now was focused on reports that the lone assailant’s getaway vehicle was a taxi.

Bangoy, who was the immediate past vice president of IBP-Davao, was shot by an unidentified man inside his residence in Bel Air Subdivision in Davao Sasa district. The attack happened moments after he arrived home.

The lawyer suffered a gunshot wound on the shoulder.

“The suspect attacked him just as he was bending down to kiss his eight-year old son, the reason why he was hit on the shoulder. Had it not been for that, it would have been fatal,” Torreon said.

The victim has been declared out of harm, Torreon added.

“When I visited him, he expressed surprise about the attack because he does not have enemies,” Torreon said.

In a separate statement, the IBP Davao chapter also condemned the attack.

“We call on the authorities to speedily and thoroughly investigate the incident so that those responsible may be brought immediately to justice,” said the statement signed by lawyer Clio Borre, public relations officer of IBP-Davao.