Now, RP a ‘dangerous place’ for lawyers, judges

After being tagged as the "most murderous place" in the world for journalists, the Philippines is now known as a "dangerous place" for lawyers and judges.

An international organization of lawyers reported yesterday an increase in acts of aggression committed against members of the legal profession in the Philippines with the killing of 11 legal professionals, including three judges and a law student, since last year.

"The escalation in violence committed against members of the legal profession under the administration of President Arroyo, particularly lawyers and judges in the Philippines, (is) very alarming," said the International Association of People’s Lawyers (IAPL), a group of legal professionals based in the Netherlands.

IAPL president Hakan Karakus of Turkey and IAPL board members Raf Jespers and Dundar Gurses of the Netherlands said that in the last four months, three lawyers and a law student were killed.

The IAPL officers identified the fatalities as law student Leonard Matias and lawyer Ambrosio Matias, who were slain earlier this month; Feledito Dacut who was killed in March; and Teresita Vidamo who was killed in February.

The roster of fatalities includes human rights lawyer Juvy Magsino, who was slain in February 2004; Arbet Yongco in October 2004; Victoria Mangapit-Sturch in April 2004; Edgar Calizo in November 2004; regional trial court judge Paterno Tiamson who was killed in February 2004; Milnar Lammawin in April 2004; and Voltaire Rosales, killed in June 2004, the IAPL officers added.

"These attacks against lawyers and judges are attacks against the legal profession as it impacts on the independence and integrity of the practice of law. These attacks violate the international principles and threaten the practice of law and the administration of justice," the three foreign lawyers said in a statement.

The Committee for the Defense of Lawyers (CODAL), a local group of legal practitioners, confirmed the IAPL’s assertions and reported some 11 cases of harassment and attacks against lawyers in the country since early this year.

CODAL spokesman Neri Javier Colmenares said they have documented the cases of harassment and attacks against lawyers in the country since January.

According to him, the cases involved an attempt on the life of United Nations Judge ad litem Romeo Capulong in March as well as attempts on the lives of human rights lawyers, members of the Public Attorneys Office and the inclusion of members of the Protestant Lawyers’ League and Free Legal Assistance Group in the so-called "enemies of the state" document compiled by the military, entitled "Knowing the Enemy."

CODAL also documented attacks on members of the Public Interest Law Center and Pro-People Law Network, who are fighting against controversial land and labor disputes.

"Unless the Philippine government takes immediate steps to protect the safety of lawyers and judges and investigate and prosecute the perpetrators, the Philippines will remain — together with Colombia — one of the most dangerous places for members of the legal profession," Colmenares said.

At this point, the IAPL lawyers cited the 8th United Nations’ Congress on the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders and reminded the President of her duty to protect the rights of legal practitioners in the country.

The IAPL officers said that the 8th United Nations’ Congress on the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders includes the basic principles of the role of lawyers and mandates the protection of the rights of legal professionals.