THE Supreme Court, along with other stakeholders, has taken initial steps to address the series of killings involving lawyers and other members of the judiciary, which has reached more than 50 under the Duterte administration.
Acting on the order of Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta, Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez held a series of consultations with the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of National Defense (DND), Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Commission on Human Rights, law- enforcement agencies and lawyers groups on the issue of killings of lawyers and judges.
Marquez said he has been directed by CJ Peralta to submit a full report with measures to address the killings after meeting with concerned government agencies and other stakeholders.
Based on his initial report, there was a meeting last January 8 with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Philippine Bar Association (PBA), and the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL).
On January 11, the Court Administrator said they met with officials from the DOJ, including those from the Office of the Secretary, Prosecutor General, National Prosecutors League of the Philippines (NPLP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO).
Marquez said the following day, they met with officials from the DND, DILG, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and Philippine National Police (PNP).
In the afternoon of the same day, they met with the CHR and the deans from the different Colleges of Law.
The final meeting took place last January 13, with judges and clerks of court.
“We are now drafting our report to be submitted to SC Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta, who instructed us to meet with all stakeholders and find ways on how this can be addressed,” Marquez said.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra confirmed the meeting and reported that there would be an inventory of cases involving killings of the members of the legal profession.
“In this regard, the DOJ will come up with an inventory of cases under investigation by the NBI, under preliminary investigation by the prosecution service, and undergoing trial in court, for the purpose of monitoring their progress very closely,” said Guevarra.
He added there would be subsequent meetings with the IBP intend to discuss the topic of providing greater protection to law practitioners, prosecutors and judges.
Just last week, 53-year-old lawyer Winston Intong from Malaybalay, Bukidnon was shot dead by two men onboard a motorcycle.
In 2011, Intong was reportedly arrested along with three others, during a buy-bust operation inside his office in Valencia City.
The lawyer was allegedly caught selling shabu to an undercover agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
But he was later acquitted of the illegal drugs charges. Intong was reportedly among those included in President Duterte’s list of drug suspects.
IBP President Domingo Egon Cayosa last December sent a letter to President Duterte, Vice President Ma. Leonor Robredo, CJ Peralta, Secretary Guevarra, and other lawyers occupying high positions in government to make decisive actions on the attacks against lawyers.
The IBP is also pushing for a legislation that would include providing security to fiscals and lawyers under the judicial marshals program.