Davao City lawyers condemn gun attack on ex-IBP official

DAVAO CITY—Members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) in Davao condemned Friday night’s shooting and wounding of a lawyer here.

Lawyer Israelito Torreon, incoming president of IBP-Davao, said the attack on Cres Dan Bangoy was apparently related to the cases that he handles.

“We are just protecting the interests of our clients. If you are angry with us, we can discuss it inside the courtrooms,” Torreon said Monday.

Torreon said it was normal for lawyers to earn the ire of people who are hurt by the cases they are handling, but this did not justify violence against lawyers.

“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.

Supt. Jose Carumba, spokesman of the Police Regional Command, said the investigation still revolves around reports that the lone assailant’s  getaway vehicle was a taxicab.

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 Sasa here Friday. The lawyer suffered a single gunshot wound in the shoulder.

The gunman shot Bangoy as he bent to kiss his eight-year old son upon arriving home.

Bangoy has been declared out of danger. Torreon said the victim expressed surprise about  the attack because “he does not have enemies.”

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