IBP to form task force to protect lawyers against threats, violence

Atty.Trixie Angeles. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Integrated Bar of the Philippines will create a special task force, joining with government agencies to address the threats, violence and intimidation to lawyers around the country as it condemns the shooting incident inside the Cebu Palace Hall of Justice where a doctor and lawyer were killed and left a prosecutor in critical condition.

“The IBP condemns in the strongest terms the violence that has erupted in the Cebu City court, calling attention to the increasing incidents of deadly work -related violence against lawyers all over the country,” the IBP said in a statement Wednesday. IBP is the national organization of lawyers in the Philippines. It is the mandatory bar association for Filipino lawyers.

The special task force shall include point persons from all 85 IBP chapters nationwide. The point persons which will be the chairperson and vice chairperson shall be tasked with coordinating with its members and government agencies. A memorandum of understanding shall be signed between the IBP, Department of Justice, Department of Interior and Local Government, National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine National Police.

“As soon as news of violence, threats or intimidation against any IBP member  breaks out, the Chapter President where the victim is a member or the Chapter President in the area of violent incident shall coordinate with Chairperson of the National Task Force to request investigation, evaluation and case filing,” IBP spokesperson Attorney Trixie Cruz-Angeles said.