Open Letter to Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio of the Supreme Court of the Philippines

27 November 2018

Mr. Acting Chief Justice:

We, the undersigned lawyers and members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, write to you to
express our grave concern over the rising number of cases of extrajudicial killings of lawyers throughout
the Philippines.

We request the Supreme Court of the Philippines, through the Honorable Acting Chief Justice, to take
immediate action to protect lawyers in the Philippines as they perform their function to protect their
clients’ rights and uphold the rule of law.

It has been reported that to date there have been at least thirty-five (35) lawyers and judges who were
victims of extrajudicial killings during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. The most recent
victim, Atty. Benjamin Ramos, was shot dead last November 6, 2018 by two unidentified men at the
public plaza of Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

Atty. Ramos was the Secretary General of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL)-Negros. There
is reason to believe that his death was related to his work assisting the families of the victims of the
Sagay 9 Massacre. Prior to his death, Atty. Ramos reportedly received death threats intended to make
him stop assisting the families of the Sagay 9 victims.

The facts surrounding many of the killings of the thirty-four other lawyers and judges, could raise a
reasonable belief that their deaths were also connected to their professional work. (See Table below)

The increasing number of these killings occurring with impunity is alarming. We can no longer stand idly
by and allow this to continue.

Under the Code of Professional Responsibility, we have a duty to society, the legal profession, the
courts, and our clients. This includes the duty to serve our clients with competence and diligence and to
exert every effort to assist in the speedy and efficient administration of justice. We will not be able to
perform these duties and responsibilities properly if we are in constant fear for our lives.

The United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers stresses that for legal assistance to be
effective, it must be carried out independently. For this to be possible, the State must protect lawyers
from any unlawful interference with their work and against all forms of harassment and threats from
both State and non-State actors. Lawyers must be able to perform their duties in every case, regardless
of who they represent, without being harassed, threatened, or killed.

The UN Basic Principles provides that “where the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of
discharging their functions, they shall be adequately safeguarded by the authorities.”

We therefore call on the Supreme Court to:

 Take appropriate steps to ensure a thorough, prompt, impartial, and independent investigation
into all the killings of lawyers from 30 June 2016; and
  Convene a dialogue between the Supreme Court, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, State
security forces, particularly the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines,
other relevant government agencies, civil society organizations, and other lawyer organizations,
where all parties could engage in open and constructive discussion on ensuring the safety and
security of lawyers.

23 November 2018

Name Roll No. IBP Chapter

Evalyn G. Ursua 36939 Quezon City
Roel Pulido 43981 Makati City
 ANNEX A

List of victims and circumstances of their murder:

Name of Date of Circumstances

Lawyer/Prosecutor/Judge Death
1. Lawyer Rogelio Bato Jr. August 23, Killed by unidentified gunmen in Tacloban City, Leyte. He was the
2016 lawyer of then-mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. of Albuera, Leyte and
the mayor’s son Kerwin Espinosa, who were accused of being drug
personalities.
2. Lawyer Allen Evasan August 23, He was shot dead outside his office in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte.
2016
3. Lawyer Melver September He was killed by unidentified men onboard a motorcycle at a
Tolentino 15, 2016 gasoline station in Magsingcal, Ilocos Sur.
4. Lawyer Honorato Mazo October 7, He was the Public Attorney’s Office senior provincial lawyer. He
2016 was killed in his backyard in Matalam, North Cotobato.
5. Prosecutor Rolando October 26, He was gunned down by two men onboard a motorcycle while he
Acido 2016 was on his way to the Mati City Hall of Justice in Davao Oriental.
6. Lawyer Jemar Apada December 1, He was killed by a police officer in Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya. The
2016 suspect, Police Officer 1 Clifford Dulnuan, shot Apada at the
boarding house of the victim’s wife who was also a cop.
7. Lawyer Arlan Castañeda December He was killed while attending Simbang Gabi (Christmas dawn
20, 2016 mass) in San Pablo, Isabela. He was a former town councilor who
served for 9 years.
8. Lawyer Goering December Father and son were shot during an altercation with a security
Paderanga Sr. 22, 2016 guard. The father was killed on the spot, while his son died 3 days
9. Lawyer Gerik Paderanga later.
10. Prosecutor Johanne January 11, He was killed by unidentified gunmen in Old Balara,
Noel Mingoa 2018 Commonwealth Avenue. He was a Quezon City prosecutor at the
time.
11. Judge Victor Canoy February 2, He was shot on his way to an eatery in Surigao City. He was a
2017 retired judge of Surigao City Regional Trial Court, Branch 29.
12. Lawyer Mia February 15, She was ambushed by 4 unidentified men in Bohol. She was an
Mascariñas Green 2017 environmental lawyer. Her murder was linked to a property
dispute in Panglao between the assailant, Lloyd Lancer Gonzaga,
and his mother-in-law, Conrada Blomqvist, a client of Green.1
13. Prosecutor Diosdado May 22, He was gunned down by motorcycle-riding men outside his house
Azarcon 2017 while on his way to work. He was the Caloocan assistant
prosecutor. His death could be linked to the numerous drugs cases
being handled in the prosecutor’s office in Caloocan.2
14. Lawyer Elmer Mitra Jr. June 1, 2017 Killed inside a moving vehicle. Jessie Carlos, the gunman behind
the Resorts World Manila attack, was the “main person of
interest” in the killing of the lawyer.
15. Lawyer Dolores Yumol June 6, 2017 She was the Bacoor City registrar and was also the former head of
the bids and awards committee. She was on her way home with
her husband Felipe when they were ambushed by unidentified
gunmen in Las Piñas City.

1
“Main suspect in environment lawyer’s killing arrested”, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 3 July 2017,
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/910426/main-suspect-in-environment-lawyers-killing-arrested.
2
“Drugs angle eyed in Caloocan assistant prosecutor’s murder”, Manila Bulletin, 23 May 2017,
https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/05/23/drugs-angle-eyed-in-caloocan-assistant-prosecutors-murder/.
16. Prosecutor Maria July 18, 2017 She was killed when unidentified men opened fire at her car while
Ronatay she was on her way home in Taytay, Rizal. She had been an
assistant prosecutor since 2005.3
17. Judge Godofredo Abul August 5, He was a Butuan City Judge. He was killed when unidentified men
Jr. 2017 fired at his vehicle. Reports say he was just about to resume work
after a six-month suspension due to an extortion allegation
involving a drug case filed in his sala. This was an accusation which
he vehemently denied.4
18. Lawyer Hermie Aban August 15, He was the lawyer of former Palawan governor Joel Reyes, who is
2017 facing murder charges over the 2011 death of environmentalist
and broadcast journalist Gerry Ortega. He was killed by a gunman
just after leaving his house in Bancao-Bancao, Puerto Princesa. He
also represented several suspects in drug-related cases in Palawan
and had served as an adviser to the city government’s Task Force
Banat, an antidrug body.5
19. Prosecutor Pablito September He was a former prosecutor and barangay chairperson. He was
Gahol 3, 2017 shot dead by unidentified men while on his way home from church
in Mandaluyong City.
20. Prosecutor Reymund September He was Quezon assistant provincial prosecutor. He was gunned
Luna 29, 2017 down by motorcycle-riding men in Infanta, Quezon.
21. Lawyer Expectacion December 3, She was a Social Security System Employee. She was killed while
Baldeo 2017 manning her gasoline station in Tiaong, Quezon. Her husband,
former Quezon board member Regore Baldeo, was also killed in
2010.
22. Lawyer Jonah John February 19, He was vice mayor of Ronda, Cebu. He was killed when
Ungab 2018 unidentified gunmen opened fire at his vehicle along S. Osmeña
Street, Cebu City. He was the lawyer of suspected drug lord Kerwin
Espinosa and he was coming from a hearing related to Espinoa’s
case before he was shot.6
23. Lawyer Henry Joseph April 22, He was killed when the vehicle he was riding with his family was
Herrera 2018 ambushed by unidentified gunmen in Atimonan, Quezon.
24. Lawyer Ramy Tagnong May 4, 2018 He was superintendent of the Calabarzon police legal affairs office.
He was ambushed while onboard his vehicle with his partner in
Antipolo City. Prior to his death, he had instituted several dismissal
proceedings against erring policemen.7
25. Prosecutor Rogelio May 11, He was Quezon City assistant prosecutor. He was ambushed while
Velasco 2018 onboard his red Toyota Innova at Don Antonio Heights. The NBI

3
“Rizal prosecutor gunned down”, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 20 July 2017,
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/915399/rizal-prosecutor-gunned-down.
4
“IBP condemns killing of RTC Judge Godofredo Abdul Jr.”, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 6 August 2017,
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/920807/ibp-godofredo-abul-jr.
5
“Lawyer handling drug cases shot dead in Palawan”, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 16 August 2017,
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/923006/lawyer-handling-drug-cases-shot-dead-in-palawan.
6
“Alleged drug lord’s slain lawyer got death threats before ambush, says wife”, ABS-CBN News, 21 February 2018,
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/21/18/alleged-drug-lords-slain-lawyer-got-death-threats-before-ambush-says-
wife.
7
“Calabarzon police exec shot dead”, The Philippine Star, 5 May 2018,
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/05/05/1812176/calabarzon-police-exec-shot-dead.
 have identified and filed charges against three police officers with
the OCP-QC who may have been involved in the killing.8
26. Prosecutor Geronimo May 22, He was killed by unidentified riding-in-tandem men in Ozamiz City.
Marabe Jr. 2018 He served as public prosecutor for several cases involving the
Parojinog family.
27. Prosecutor Madonna June 4, 2018 She was assistant special prosecutor of the Office of the
Joy Ednaco-Tanyag Ombudsman, she was stabbed in front of a lottery outlet along
Visayas Avenue in Quezon City on June 4, 2018. Tanya was 5
months pregnant. She was declared death at the East Avenue
Medical center.
28. Judge Ricky Begino June 12, Judge of Metropolitan Circuit Trial Court of San Jose-Lagonoy,
2018 Camarines Sur. He was shot while on his way home. A suspect,
Wilfredo Armea, was arrested the following day.
29. Lawyer Joey Galit June 21, He was with his wife were ambushed inside their subdivision. He
2018 handled sensitive cases in Rizal Province, Romblon, and Palawan.9
30. Lawyer Salvador July 2, 2018 He was killed by unidentified gunmen who barged into his home in
Solima Cebu City. He was a former assistant city prosecutor but was
dismissed for gross misconduct and grave abuse of authority.
Policeman Engelberto Durano was one of his clients. Durano was
among those who testified before the House of Representatives
justice committee regarding activities of alleged drug lords Jeffrey
Diaz and Kerwin Espinosa. Solima also represented Ermita, Cebu
City barangay Felicisimo Rupinta, who died in an ambush in
November 2017.10
31. Lawyer Rafael Atutubo August 23, He was gunned down by unidentified men wearing bonnets
2018 outside his home in Bacolod City. He reportedly handled drug
cases. He advocated against corruption in the judiciary and the
police.11
32. Lawyer Connie September She was killed by unidentified gunmen while onboard her vehicle
Villamor 24, 2018 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
33. Lawyer Edel Julio September He was gunned down in Barangay Culasi in Roxas City, Capiz. He
Romero 28, 2018 was the lawyer of Melvin Odicta, the alleged to Iloilo drug lord
who was slain in August 2016.
34. Judge Edmundo Pintac October 8, He was shot dead by motorcycle-riding suspects in Barangay
2018 Banadero in Ozamiz City. He was executive judge of the city’s
Regional Trial Court, Branch 15. He handled the drug and firearms
cases against Nova Princess and Reynaldo Parojinog Jr.
35. Lawyer Benjamin November 6, He was Secretary-general of the Negros Occidental arm of the
Ramos 2018 National Union of People’s Lawyers. He was shot dead by riding-in-
tandem assailants in Kabankalan City. A known human rights
defender, Ramos represented political prisoners, farmers and

8
“DOJ says murder of QC prosecutor Rogelio Velasco ‘solved’”, GMA News, 9 September 2018,
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/667148/doj-says-murder-of-qc-prosecutor-rogelio-velasco-
solved/story/, (updated 10 September 2018).
9
“Lawyer, guard shot dead inside Cainta subdivision”, Inquirer Southern Luzon, 22 June 2018,
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1003188/lawyer-guard-shot-dead-inside-cainta-subdivision.
10
“Lawyer shot dead inside his house; wife in critical condition”, Sun Star Cebu, 3 July 2018,
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1750901/Cebu/Local-News/Lawyer-shot-dead-inside-his-house-wife-in-
critical-condition.
11
“Assassins gun down Bacolod lawyer”, Manila Times, 24 August 2018, https://www.manilatimes.net/assassins-
gun-down-bacolod-lawyer/433818/.
 other members of marginalized sectors in his career as a pro-bono
lawyer.

The information above is based on reports from:

 National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL);

 Rappler, “LIST: Judges, prosecutors, lawyers killed under Duterte gov’t”, November 8, 2018,
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/216239-list-judges-prosecutors-lawyers-killed-under-duterte-
government?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1542539735;
 Other news sources