THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will perform an independent investigation into the “brazen killing” of human rights lawyer Juan Macabadbad through its regional office in South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos (SOCCSKSARGEN), CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia said Friday.
In a statement, De Guia said that the CHR strongly condemns the recent killing of Macabadbad who is a member of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) and the chairman of the Union of People’s Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) SOCCSKSARGEN chapter.
“CHR strongly denounces this latest killing of another agent of law and an active defender of people’s rights and interests,” she lamented.
De Guia claimed that the persistent assault against lawyers who seek for justice can also be taken as a potential threat inflicted to cast a collective fear among others of the same profession.
“The string of attacks against members of the legal profession remains unrelenting. Aside from the glaring violation on the right to life, this pattern of killings also contributes to the erosion of rule of law as it creates a chilling effect on those working for the pursuit of justice,” the spokesperson expressed.
“It is crucial that lawyers and human rights advocates are able to do their noble work without fear of reprisal and retribution,” she added.
The CHR then appealed to the government to provide an immediate response to protect lawyers, advocates of human rights, and people in peril.
“We continue to ask government for swift action and proactive efforts that will ensure the protection of lawyers, including the vulnerable sectors that they represent,” De Guia stated.
Macabadbad was fatally shot outside his house in Surallah, South Cotabato on Wednesday, September 15, at around 5:30 p.m.
Reports show that he was shot multiple times by three unidentified men who fled from the crime scene aboard a motorcycle.
Philippine National Police chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar has earlier ordered a follow-up investigation and instructed the regional director of Police Regional Office 12 to delve into the incident.
Data shows that Macabadbad is the 58th person in the legal profession, third in the NUPL, and the 65th lawyer slain under the current administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.