IBP condemns violence, threats against members

Atty.Trixie Angeles. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) condemned on Monday the shooting of the law office of IBP Chapter President in Zamboanga del Norte, the fourth of a series of shooting incidents in the area.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms, the acts of violence and threats perpetrated against members of the Bar in Zamboanga del Norte, the most recent of which is the shooting of the law office of the IBP Chapter President,” the IBP said in a statement through its spokesperson Atty. Trixie Cruz Angeles.

The law office of IBP Zamboanga del Norte President Atty. Michael Ajoc on Tomas Claudio Street, Dipolog City was recently riddled with bullets shot by two men wearing bonnets and riding in tandem on a motorcycle. The office façade which is shielded with a roll-up/ roll down door, glass panels and wood panels bore seven bullet holes believed to be fired from a 45 caliber pistol.

The incident at Ajoc’s office was not the first shooting incident at a law office. Last November 8, 2012 at around 11 pm, the office of lawyer Anecito Young was shot four times. On September 18, 2012, the law office IBP past resident and Dapitan City Councilor Cres Palpagan Jr. was also shot with three bullets on the window panels and on August 10, 2012, the residence of Board Member Atty. Michael Alan Ranillo was riddled with five bullets.

The IBP said the four lawyers are advocates of anti-corruption and human rights abuses committed by some men in uniform.

“The IBP is committed to the rule of law, and will staunchly defend its advocates. We strongly urge a speedy and thorough investigation of the matter, the immediate filing of cases against the perpetrators and call on the law enforcement agencies to do their duty with dispatch,”  the IBP said.

“All measures must be exhausted to give justice to the victims who have clearly been targeted for their advocacies,”  it added.