IBP forms task force to probe killings of lawyers

CLARK FREEPORT—The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) is convening next week a task force that would look into the murder of at least 200 lawyers and judges in the last 10 years in the country, IBP president Roan Libarios said.

“How can we make people believe there is justice in this country when lawyers and judges themselves do not get justice?” Libarios said at the sidelines of the convention of the IBP Central Luzon chapter here on Thursday.

The task force would review information, finalize a tally of victims and make profiles of incidents or cases.

“Our aim is to shield lawyers from violent actions. We know [killings] are part of professional risks but these are uncalled for,” Libarios said.

The IBP has asked the National Bureau of Investigation to find Bataan-based lawyer Joe Frank Zuñiga, who went missing on June 20 after leaving a meeting with his clients at Ocean Adventure at the Subic Bay Freeport. Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon