Pimentel seeks Senate probe on killings of lawyers

By: Maila Ager - 10 years ago

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines –Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has asked the Senate to look into the series of killings of lawyers since 2010.

Pimentel filed a resolution, directing the appropriate committee in the Senate to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation.

The inquiry, he said, would help the chamber draft measures “to secure the safety and welfare of the members of the Philippine Bar.”

Citing reports from August 4, 2010 to November 14, 2012, Pimentel said nine lawyers, including two members of the bench and a prosecutor, were “murdered or assassinated.”

At least 23 lawyers and judges, he said, were also murdered from 2001 to 2009.

Pimentel said the figure could be higher, citing a manifestation by Roan I. Libarios, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in2012, that “at least 200 lawyers and judges have been shot in cold blood in the last ten years.”

In his resolution, Pimentel said paragraph 17 of the Basic Principles of the Constitution provides that “where the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of discharging their functions, they shall be adequately safeguarded by authorities.”

Paragraph 16 (a) of the same provision also provides that “governments shall ensure that lawyers are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference,” Pimentel said.

He identified those killed between 2010 and 2012 as prosecutor Macadatar Marsangca, Iligan City; Judge Reynaldo Lacasandile, Tagudin (Ilocos Sur); Judge Fredelito Pingao, Currimao (Ilocos Norte); Lawyers Archer Baldwin Martinez, Dumaguete City; Manolo Zerna, Tanjay City (Negros Or.), Xerxes Balios Camacho, Northern Samar; Nicomedes Romagos, Cataingan (Masbate); Lazaro Gayo, Agoo (La Union); and Sulpicio Landicho, Tanauan City (Batangas).

The most recent killing, he said, involved Cebu City lawyer Noel Archival, who was killed along with two aides by car-riding assassins along the national highway in Dalaguete town, Cebu last February.

Pimentel also cited two killings in January and May of 2013.

He said lawyer Jovian Atias and his client, Dr. Rene Rafols, were killed by John Pope, who shot them inside the Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 6 in Cebu City.