Davao City — Following the recent killing of Maria Saniata Liwliwa Gonzales Alzate in Abra, a lawyers’ group in Mindanao is urging the top branches of the government, including the Supreme Court, to take measures to protect lawyers against persistent attacks. The group expressed concerns that Alzate’s murder, like the unsolved case of Juan Macababbad, the vice chair of the Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM), may remain unresolved.
In a statement issued on Friday, UPLM Chair Antonio Azarcon and spokesperson Arvin Dexter Lopoz emphasized the need for prioritizing the protection of lawyers’ lives, especially in the face of ongoing attacks. They called for a stronger focus on the safety of legal professionals, rather than the protection sought by some public officials trying to avoid scrutiny regarding the allocation of public funds.
The group highlighted the clear and present danger faced by lawyers in the wake of Alzate’s murder, which has evoked distressing memories of Macababbad’s tragic death two years ago. The lawyers outlined the similarities between the two cases, explaining that Alzate’s brutal murder bears haunting resemblance to Macababbad’s unresolved killing.
Alzate, who served as the president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in Abra for two terms, was fatally shot while inside her parked car in front of her house in Bangued town, Abra. The assailant approached on foot and escaped on a motorcycle driven by another person, who also fired shots at Alzate’s vehicle before fleeing.
Speaking on behalf of UPLM, Lopoz expressed frustration over the low success rate of their petitions for protective writs, particularly the Writ of Amparo, which should have safeguarded their colleagues facing threats. Lopoz revealed that even prior to Macababbad’s killing, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), with which UPLM is affiliated, had filed a petition for a Writ of Amparo to protect Red-tagged members, but their petition was rejected.
Three months ago, Macababbad’s family sought assistance from UPLM due to the slow progress of the police investigation into his case. Utilizing the Department of Justice circular issued by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla in April, UPLM aided the family in building the case and filing a complaint with the Office of the Regional Prosecutor in Soccsksargen.
UPLM lauded Alzate and Macababbad as selfless human rights defenders who dedicated themselves to public interest lawyering, despite the risks involved. While acknowledging the Supreme Court’s efforts to streamline the process for issuing protective writs, the group stressed the need for more coordinated action across all branches of government to address the ongoing attacks on lawyers.
The lawyers emphasized the government’s duty to urgently provide the necessary protection of life, prioritizing it over the protection sought by elected officials regarding public fund allocation and expenditure, which some officials aim to shield with unwarranted confidentiality.
In these times of heightened danger for legal professionals, it is crucial for the government to step up and ensure the safety and security of lawyers. The persistent attacks on lawyers underscore the immediate need for robust measures and coordinated efforts to protect those who risk their lives in the pursuit of justice. Only through joint action across all branches of government can we hope to create a safer environment for legal professionals to carry out their duties without fear of violence or reprisal.
