Few days after I wrote last week about the continuing killing of and threats to journalists, another related development captured global attention.
The report by the Associated Press, which was carried by the New York Times and other leading international newspapers, disclosed a disturbing reality in the country – at least 133 lawyers have been killed in the Philippines since the 1980s.
A glaring part of the report said that almost 45 percent – or 59 lawyers and prosecutors to be exact – were killed under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Among those slain, as compiled by Rappler, were four Negrenses – Rafael Atutubo of Bacolod in August 2018, human rights defender Benjamin Ramos, secretary-general of the local chapter of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, who was gunned down almost three months after Atutubo’s slay as well as Antonio Trinidad of Guihulngan City (July 2019) and Dumaguete-based Raymond Moncada (January 2020).
The toll is right on the heels of the 197 members of the press who were slain in the country since 1986 (as compiled by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines).
Lamentably, most of the killings have remained unsolved and the killers unidentified “although state forces have been blamed for dozens of the attacks against lawyers who were apparently targeted for representing human right, defenders and activists,” NULP claimed in the report.
NULP, according to AP, said that the harassment of lawyers continues under the present administration despite the alarm signals issued by the Supreme Court over the killings and threats against lawyers and judges with the high court quoted as saying that “the attacks cannot be allowed in a civilized society like ours.”
I asked local legal luminary Ralph Sarmiento, former dean and currently a Law professor, on his reactions to the spate of killings and the extent of how the local legal circle is alarmed, especially considering that a number of fatal incidents took place in Negros.
“The legal profession cannot fulfill its functions in society if its members are subjected to attacks on their persons. Each attack against lawyers and judges in the course of or by reason of the performance of their functions is a direct attack on the administration of justice,” he said.
“What saddens me,” he added, is that “the justice system for which the lawyers and judges-victims have sacrificed their lives has failed to give justice to their killings.”
On what authorities must do to reduce, if not stop, the deadly threat to lawyers, judges as well as journalists, and rights advocates, he said, “Putting an end to the spate of killings is only possible if we can end the spate of impunity.”
Impunity breeds further impunity, and it encourages the commission of further attacks against members of the legal profession, he further said as he underscored:
“Ending impunity requires the collective cooperation of all stakeholders – from law enforcement to the courts and the community – to ensure that the rule of law always reigns supreme and, more importantly, a government that acknowledges the problem and makes serious efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.”
I also sought the comments of future lawyers and to know how they are affected.
“I am both scared and angered by the killings. Lawyers have always been tasked to work toward justice yet they are among those who can’t justice for their deaths,” said Joevel Bartolome, a graduating St. La Salle Law student
Another Law senior student, Russel Renz Garcia, a chemical engineer, said: “Lawyers defend the oppressed and now they become the victims themselves. With the violence against lawyers, I fully believe there is a need for justice and peace to prevail in our nation and I must take an active part in reaching this goal.”
And how does it affect their pursuit of jurisprudence studies and their dream to become lawyers?
“As a student, I view that these deaths make the future a little foggy, however, it is the more reason to keep going,” Bartolome said.
“Becoming a lawyer,” Garcia underscored, “is my declaration of detest against wrongdoers – they won’t succeed.”
How our new leaders and authorities respond to the call to pursue the safety of lawyers, judges, journalists, and rights advocates, indeed, deserves a close watch.
***
I join development communicators in the celebration of World Development Information Day on Monday, Oct. 24, which is also being observed as United Nations Day and marks the day when UN came into force in 1945.
Having spent the best time of my youth as an information officer of what is now known as the Philippine Information Agency, I put premium value on the role information plays in the growth development of societies.
The day was initiated by UN “to draw the attention of the world to development problems and the need to strengthen global cooperation to solve them.”
The focus of the celebration this year is anchored on the need to keep face with digital media progress: “Information and Communication Technologies – New Solutions to Development Challenges.”
These solutions and challenges cover the areas of competitiveness access to information, poverty eradication and social inclusion, particularly in the realm of globalization and economic growth.
We salute information officers as they pursue their commitment to the oft-thankless job of transmitting development communication messages particularly toward the improvement of the quality of life in rural and marginalized communities.
***
And if you like spaghetti and similar gustatory fare, you have a reason to celebrate on Wednesday, Oct. 25.
Yes, it’s World Pasta Day.
Celebrated since 1998, WPD draws heightened attention on the merits of pasta – from its great taste, health sustainability and the convenience it offers to people everywhere.
Promoters encourage pasta lovers on this day not only to cook or eat pasta but also make their own noodles for their additional gustatory pleasure.
***
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9) – NWI
