The Philippines: Human rights lawyer decries communist tag

June 27, 2019

HUMAN rights activist and lawyer Beverly Musni said a malicious streamer tagging her and several other persons as members of the New People’s Army (NPA) regional unit committee has been placed outside her house in Apovel subdivision.

Musni called the incident an attack on their security and violated the sanctity of their home. Musni, whose daughters are also lawyers, said this could be a prelude to physical attack against them.

The Musni family is known for representing incarcerated leaders of progressive organizations in court.

“This has never happened before that my property has been attacked. (We are already) Vilified nami before, apil nami sa (we were included in the) order of battle dating back 2009, never gyud nga naa mismo (it happened) in my home,” she said.

“If this can be done to house where three lawyers live, what more those nga naa sa (in the) countryside, urban areas, ingana kasayon maviolate ang (that’s how easy to violate the) sanctity of the abode (nowadays),” she added.

Musni recounted that on Wednesday night, their house helper noticed a man pointing a flashlight to their home. It was only the day after when they noticed the streamer placed in front of their house.

Musni believe that their being human rights lawyers is what made them victims of red-tagging.

…

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1811851

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/02/28/1897472/chr-warns-against-red-tagging-rights-lawyers

HR lawyers denounce red-tagging

https://www.rappler.com/nation/224141-rights-group-journalists-denounce-red-tagging-cagayan-de-oro-february-2019

Military generals snub hearing on rights lawyers’ plea for protection

NUPL SLAMS VICIOUS RED-TAGGING; CALLS ON RIGHTS LAWYERS TO STAND THEIR GROUND

Karapatan decries more incidents of red-tagging against their members

https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24679&LangID=E

Philippines: failure to investigate killings demands UN action

ICJ denounces reprisals against UN independent experts

Philippines : l'avocate Beverly Musni qui défend des opposants dénonce, à titre de mesure d'intimidation, l'apposition d'une banderole sur sa maison dénonçant ses liens avec les communistes https://t.co/3O1SaMRVP8

— Patrick Henry (@patrhenry) July 1, 2019

The Philippines: Mindoro prosecutor wounded in gun attack

June 11, 2019

The provincial prosecutor of Oriental Mindoro was wounded in a gun attack yesterday.

Josephine Olivar was about to enter her home in Barangay Bayanan I, Calapan City when a lone gunman arrived at around 9:30 a.m. and shot her several times.

Olivar suffered two gunshot wounds in the head and three in other parts of the body.

“The victim was rushed to a hospital while the suspect fled,” Lt. Col. Socrates Faltado, spokesman for the Mimaropa police, said.

A statement from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Oriental Mindoro chapter said Olivar is now in stable condition.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a probe and run after the perpetrators.

…

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/06/11/1925377/mindoro-prosecutor-wounded-gun-attack

Attacks on Philippines Lawyers 10 June 2019

66 killed under Duterte, advocates call for defense of human rights in Negros

https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/statement-report/philippines-conduct-investigation-killings-activists-and-take-genuine-steps-towards

IBP slams shooting of Oriental Mindoro prosecutor

Provincial prosecutor survives shooting in Oriental Mindoro

https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24679&LangID=E

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/06/07/1924491/un-experts-seek-probe-deteriorating-human-rights-situation-philippines

Rare joint statement of UN rapporteurs calls for probe of PH killings

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-rights-un/philippines-slams-unpardonable-intrusions-by-u-n-rights-experts-idUSKCN1T908K

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/06/10/1925304/nbi-probe-shooting-mindoro-oriental-prosecutor

https://www.karapatan.org/Karapatan+challenges+the+Duterte+gov%E2%80%99t+to+allow+UN+independent+investigation+on+rights+violations

Military officers snub CA hearing on NUPL’s harassment complaint

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/07/19/ph-intl-lawyers-hit-threats-red-tagging-of-filipino-human-rights-lawyers-group

Right to be forgotten

Stop killings, Negros human rights group asks gov’t

Cebu’s murder statistics

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/05/30/1922178/morales-camp-claims-cyber-attacks-after-icc-submission

https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/06/24/un-needs-act-now-end-philippines-killings

ICJ urges human rights approach to foreign fighters, solidarity with migrants, action on the Philippines

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/06/17/19/2-suspek-sa-pananambang-ng-piskal-patay-sa-engkuwentro-sa (TAGALOG)

PRESS STATEMENT
11 June 2019

On the Frustrated Murder of
Mindoro Prosecutor Olivar:

YET ANOTHER ONE

The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) joins the calls for a thorough investigation on the brazen shooting of a provincial prosecutor in Oriental Mindoro yesterday.

Reports disclose that Prosecutor Josephine Carranzo Olivar was shot several times in front of her very home in Calapan. She sustained wounds in the head and body but fortunately is now in stable condition.

We are immensely concerned about this seemingly unending and lamentably unresolved attacks on members of our profession.

Olivar is the seventh prosecutor attacked under the Duterte administration. A total of at least 39 lawyers, judges and prosecutors have been killed apparently in relation to their work since 2016, three of which just happened in the last month.

This is on top of many others who have been attacked in other forms like labelling, threats, harassment, intimidation, surveillance, false charges, and even arrests.

Even the policemen who have been identified to have been involved in the heinous murder of Quezon City Prosecutor Rogelio Velasco are now off the hook.

We condemn this attack on Olivar and we call out once again the Philippine government to abide by its responsibility under the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers which clearly mandates that:

16. Governments shall ensure that lawyers (a) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference xxx;

17. Where the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of discharging their functions, they shall be adequately safeguarded by the authorities; and

18. Lawyers shall not be identified with their clients or their clients’ causes as a result of discharging their functions.

This latest attack comes on the heels of the unrelenting vicious attacks on NUPL as a whole. It also highlights the imperative for an independent investigation on the other “staggering” killings as urged by several UN officials including the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers.

With a surfeit of lawyers in all branches, levels and interstices of government, it must be a no-brainer that these attacks must be addressed, resolved and prevented with utmost dispatch and urgency. We must go beyond bombastic rhetoric, formulaic task forces and trite palliatives lest we learn of another one of our own biting the dust. #

Reference:

Edre U. Olalia
NUPL President
+63 9175113373

Ephraim B. Cortez
NUPL Secretary General
+63 917546 5798

Josalee S. Deinla
NUPL Spokesperson
+63 917431 6396

(L’Observatoire des Avocats Facebook, 14/06/19)

 

The Philippines: NUPL to pursue legal action over inclusion in supposed ouster ‘matrix’

May 7, 2019

(In this photo, presidential spokesperon Salvador Panelo holds up supposed proof of journalists and pro bono lawyers conspiring against President Rodrigo Duterte.)

The National Union of People’s Lawyers, whose members were included in a diagram of journalists and lawyers allegedly involved in a plot to oust the president, will file charges over the allegation.

Speaking at a forum at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, NUPL secretary general Ephraim Cortez said the group will not file libel cases because these curtail the freedom of expression, but that charges “will definitely” be filed against government officials involved. He said complaints will also be filed over a newspaper report “exposing” the supposed plot.

Cortez raised that the Philippine National Police had announced an investigation into the supposed plot even before checking whether the “matrix” had basis.

“If evidence so warrants there can always be cases filed against them,” Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde, PNP chief, said on April 23 as he announced the national police would conduct the investigation on its own initiative.

NUPL had previously raised the “matrix” issue before the Supreme Court, saying it bolstered its petition for a protection order against alleged government harassment.

“These malicious statements and dangerous claims, as well as the contrived ‘matrix’ above, baseless and reckless as they are, compel the Petitioners to again seek at this time for the Honorable Court’s protection and reiterate their prayer for a temporary protection order,” it said in its manifestation on April 25.

The Supreme Court announced last Friday that it had issued a writ of amparo and habeas data in favor of NUPL.

…

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/05/07/1915891/nupl-pursue-legal-action-over-inclusion-supposed-ouster-matrix?fbclid=IwAR3quNjzUbV3E1NDD54RyQXmvLhlRGb9nCaWjfYeK6TjMGMI-nvy2O8o8A8

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/5/7/NUPL-eyes-charges-Oust-Duterte-matrix-.html?fbclid=IwAR2_3iMxzy_kcVwLPwRsmuUOpzmtxizH4X4JyDXcMk5W2b5cE9i1ufawyu0#.XNJuTZ-gAkk.facebook

https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/229980-groups-hit-pattern-attacks-against-democratic-institutions-this-is-the-matrix-forum

https://www.ucanews.com/news/religious-rights-groups-fight-red-tagging-in-philippines/85131

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1804663/Manila/Local-News/Expanded-matrix-links-LP-Magdalo-to-Bikoy?rss=1

Journalists linked to ‘Oust Duterte’ matrix vow to ‘never go down’ 

https://www.rappler.com/nation/229986-malacanang-releases-new-diagrams-conspiracy-discredit-duterte-may-8-2019

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/693723/palace-claims-plot-by-lp-magdalo-media-outlets-to-discredit-duterte/story/

https://www.rappler.com/nation/229733-duterte-explain-supreme-court-writ-amparo-kalikasan?fbclid=IwAR0xD8tQMFb1fZ2i1uNwJHC3UECpCTo-y0pfQtNWpGmKX8Fzg01EyfsHzFQ

3 more groups seek writs of amparo

Plotters also out to assassinate Duterte, warns supporter

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1069180

In Defence of Justice: End Impunity | Event

https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/statement-report/joint-statement-stop-attacks-against-human-rights-defenders-and-protect-civic-space?fbclid=IwAR0UcQnu_B6b6lYLzJnXmuZT-DWGHhRjx2nyjTuYQ2YoNBa9cF_IQYEYZVg

Lawyers and lawlessness

https://www.rappler.com/nation/230065-duterte-government-says-human-rights-lawyers-do-not-need-sc-protection-order

Open season

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/05/10/1916547/zamboanga-norte-judge-killed

https://nupl.net/

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/05/08/19/mga-naglabas-ng-oust-duterte-matrix-balak-kasuhan (TAGALOG)

 

 

Reminder: In Defence of Justice: End Impunity in the Philippines

Thursday May 8, 2019 6-8PM
515 West Hastings Street, SFU Harbour Centre, Room 1500

Edre Olalia, human rights lawyer and President of the Manila-based National Union of People’s Lawyers https://t.co/0tqexs4hdt

— Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada (@LRWCanada) May 7, 2019

 

Office of the Solicitor General asks SC to dismiss petition for writ of amparo, habeas data filed by the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers vs President Duterte, other govt officials in their Return of the Writ filed Wednesday. | via @mikenavallo pic.twitter.com/fpgMaQ8ivZ

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) May 9, 2019

Inihayag ng ilang mga mamamahayag ang kanilang pagdududa sa inilabas na ouster plot matrix laban kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, Mayo 7.

Sa nasabing forum, itinanggi ng Vera Files, Rappler, at National Union of Peoples' Lawyers ang pagkakaugnay sa kanila sa nasabing ouster plot. pic.twitter.com/Y48KQ9OAOL

— DZUP Balita (@DZUPbalita) May 8, 2019

 

The Philippines: SC Issues Writ of Amparo and Habeas Data in Favor of NUPL

May 3, 2019

The Supreme Court, in a special En Banc session held on Friday, issued a writ of amparo and habeas data in favor of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL).

The Court also referred the petition of NUPL, et al. to the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals, who was directed to cause the immediate raffle of the said case among the appellate justices. The CA was further directed to hear the petition on May 14, 2019 and to decide the case within 10 days after submission of the case for decision.

The Court also ordered respondents President Rodrigo Duterte, who was impleaded in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Security Adviser (Ret.) Gen. Hermogenes C. Esperon, Jr., et al. to make a verified return of the writ of amparo and habeas data on or before May 8, 2019, and to comment on NUPL, et al.’s petition before the said date.

In its petition, NUPL, et al. sought for the issuance of the writ of amparo and habeas data for their protection, claiming that their rights to life, liberty and security have been violated and continue to be violated through the persistent threats and harassment and red tagging allegedly done to vilify and intimidate them and prevent them from pursuing their profession as members of the Bar and from practicing their advocacy as peoples’ lawyers serving the poor and the marginalized. They claimed that some NUPL members have died in the line of duty.

The petitioners are likewise asking the Court to compel the respondents, under the writ of habeas data, to provide them with copies of all the facts, information, statements, records, photographs, and other evidence, documentary or otherwise, pertaining to each of them in the respondents’ files and records.

In particular, NUPL alleged that it was branded as an “enemy” by the Philippine Army in 2013. In 2014, NUPL-Vice President Atty. Catherine Salucon allegedly experienced heavy surveillance and harassment and that her paralegal, William Bugatti, was killed hours after they had parted ways after a court hearing. In 2018, NUPL-Negros Secretary General Atty. Benjamin Ramos was killed in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental. They cited other several incidents of threats, harassment and intimidation due to their work and advocacy.

Also named as respondents were National Defense Secretary (Ret.) Gen. Delfin N. Lorenzana, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal, Jr., AFP Deputy Commander for Intelligence Brig. Gen. Fernando T. Trinidad, AFP Intelligence Service of the Philippines (ISAFP) Chief Maj. Gen. Erwin Bernard Neri, Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto, and AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations Maj. Gen. Antonio G. Parlade, Jr.

(G.R. 246175, NUPL, et al. v. President Duterte, et al., May 3, 2019)

SC Public Information Office
Ground Floor, New Supreme Court Building
Supreme Court of the Philippines
Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila 1000
Tel. No. (+632) 522 5090; (+632) 522 5094

x————-x
Press Statement
3 May 2019
5pm

Re info that Philippine Supreme Court granted in favor of NUPL a writ of Amparo & Habeas Data against the vicious redtagging by the military and baseless government accusation of involvement in an “ouster matrix”:

We are certainly pleased and somewhat relieved that the High Court has favorably acted upon our petition for protection of the life, liberty and security of NUPL members who are after all, officers of the court.

It came at a propitious time when the 2018 Bar results came out today welcoming our new colleagues in the profession. It gives our new lawyers a veritable food for thought while they rightfully celebrate.

It also sends a strong and clear signal to the military and government officials alike, as well as their proxies or agents, that there are certain well-defined rules of evidence not incompatible with basic fairness, decency, common sense and logic that must be observed.

While this is just a start of an intense judicial battle and tedious procedure, we are grateful that the Court heeded our supplication to be given judicial shield and a potential relief from reckless accusations, malicious labelling and vicious attacks in different forms and guises.

Its subtext is as unequivocal – incessant redtagging, personal mudslinging and contrived narratives will be subjected to judicial restraint and accountability.#

Edre Olalia
NUPL President
Co-Petitioner

(National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers Facebook, 03/05/19)

http://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/5/3/NUPL-Duterte-writ-of-amparo.html

SC issues writ of amparo and habeas data for NUPL

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/03/19/supreme-court-grants-lawyers-bid-for-protection-vs-state-forces

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/693245/supreme-court-issues-writ-of-amparo-for-nupl/story/

https://www.rappler.com/nation/229619-supreme-court-issues-writs-amparo-kalikasan-human-rights-groups-may-2019?fbclid=IwAR2IVcsYi3hIw2UgSVfcFJI6NA4opTGcrW-dnQamBfFlBBHCD8AJW52LtPw

Militant lawyers group gets Supreme Court protection

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/05/03/1914723/court-appeals-hear-nupl-plea-over-perceived-state-harassment-red-tagging?fbclid=IwAR2134PhsW6SjpUv_azbggcF3bYwVs_t84rlo-RC9HnipxZCb_olMndxN2k

SC issues writ of amparo and habeas data for NUPL

‘Journos should hold power to account, uphold democracy at all times’ — Focap

3 opposition bets hit Panelo for ‘Oust Duterte’ matrix ‘mess’

http://www.manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/293825/palace-flip-flops-on-ouster-matrix.html

https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/ispeak/229558-journalism-crime-fake-world

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1069180

https://nupl.net/

 

 

 

The Philippines: Rights lawyers seek protection from high court amid harassment, red baiting

April 15, 2019

“The Honorable Court cannot sit idly by and allow state forces and their agents dictate how law ought to be practiced and eliminate lawyers who chose to represent the marginalized from the face of this land,” the petition read.

Amid recent violence, harassment, threats and red baiting against its members, the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) filed a petition for writs of amparo and habeas data with the Supreme Court this afternoon.

Named respondents were President Rodrigo Duterte as commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., Deputy Commander for Intelligence of the AFP Brig. Gen. Fernando T. Trinidad, Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) Chief Maj. Gen. Erwin Neri, Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Macairog Sabiniano Alberto and AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr.

The NUPL seeks the protection of its members “whose rights to life, liberty and security have been violated and continue to be violated through persistent threats and harassment, and red tagging clearly intended to vilify and intimidate them and prevent them from pursuing their profession as members of the bar and from practicing their advocacy as peoples’ lawyers serving the poor and the marginalized.”

The group said that some of their members have been in the line of duty.

The NUPL has also asked the high court to compel the respondents, under the Writ of Habeas Data, to produce and, if necessary, to update and rectify, or to suppress and destroy, data, information, and files in their possession, under their control, or contained in their data base which relate to or concern them.

…

Rights lawyers seek protection from high court amid harassment, red baiting

NUPL asks SC to stop police from surveillance, threatening its members

Lawyers group seeks SC help, protection from military harassment

https://www.rappler.com/nation/228219-nupl-seek-protection-supreme-court-from-army-harassment?fbclid=IwAR2lQL_StmStv-8cIc87mCfbhtusYIOT2ADatWrUIGSDX9hBbaqYHUNGCv8

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/15/19/lawyering-is-not-terrorism-nupl-members-seek-supreme-court-protection?fbclid=IwAR3ZGpWv1xGR53wak4V6ULwmBqyJE6wOiJBeEZVRR2-8Vu3hRWp2QDPmdew

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/04/15/1910277/nupl-seeks-court-protection-threats-state-agents?fbclid=IwAR1Fb19lag0T89Yn3m5btujnNxFltkt3x5QmHtbd6vuoH76jzOKj7hJJ45s

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/4/15/NUPL-Supreme-Court-Rodrigo-Duterte-petition.html?fbclid=IwAR3pAoT6S8xm8bfmQnP1OOplLbNfftkrj2_bnJpNxIaBMPRW2dvW2lnPEIg

Final draft NUPL AMPARO for filing

https://www.eaglenews.ph/dahil-sa-diumanoy-panghaharass-ng-militar-nupl-hiniling-sa-korte-suprema-ang-pagpapalabas-ng-writ-of-amparo/?fbclid=IwAR3Rwx4jecUazBNqk0Fo-cKuhJXVBK_E309Y6K7zTUahKlWaIJeCZ899dTA (TAGALOG)

https://soundcloud.com/kodao/atty-ephraim-cortez-secretary-general-of-nupl?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=facebook&fbclid=IwAR0FL7UUhYmpEQdwn1FDgkT2CSkSs_kSJSf7YsJpXOkMXPZlm6LXZKn1gdc (TAGALOG)

Members and officers of the NUPL troop to the Supreme Court to ask for protection from relentless military red-tagging led by Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr.

The red scare tactics have intensified in recent months, with NUPL members being subjected to surveillance and various forms of threat, harassment and intimidation. The most vicious attack was the murder of Atty. Ben Ramos in Negros last year. In his last days alive, Atty. Ben was red-baited in anti-communist posters which showed his photo together with those of activists in the region.

NUPL lawyers were joined this afternoon by their clients from the marginalized sectors. They called on the government to let their lawyers do their jobs and urged the Supreme Court to issue the protective writs of amparo and habeas data in their favor.#

(National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers Facebook, 15/04/19)

The Philippines: Red-tagging NUPL places lawyers, judges in more danger

April 5, 2019

Members of the legal profession could be in more danger due to an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) official’s claim that the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) had alleged links with communist rebels.

“Such reckless claims, on top of the public labeling and vilification of our members, has put the judges, prosecutors, public defenders, law professors, gov’t lawyers, law students and paralegals who belong to our voluntary pro bono organization in even more danger,” NUPL President Edre Olalia said in a statement on Friday.

Olalia’s statement was issued after AFP deputy chief of staff for civil-military operations Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. accused the NUPL and other local organizations of having links with Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA).

The NUPL President said Parlade “crossed the line way too far” and that the allegation was “baseless” and “does not legally hold water at all.”

Olalia even warned the AFP official that members of the NUPL will face him in court to question the credibility behind the allegation.

“Absent any credible, competent and admissible evidence to even remotely give a semblance of veracity to this unabashedly fascist claim, we shall hale you to court. And you better match our best lawyers money cannot buy with your best lawyers money can buy,” Olalia’s statement read.

NUPL records show that from September 2016 to November 2018, a total of 24 lawyers have been killed, 15 of which are still unresolved.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1103754/red-tagging-nupl-places-lawyers-judges-in-more-danger

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/690428/insinuation-that-nupl-is-tied-to-cpp-npa-puts-lawyers-judges-in-danger-olalia/story/?fbclid=IwAR3fF3z9Knz_m562tA3c36jdUuNV0fteotETmKPq05rP6MCpojJ2MwDWksE

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066679

https://www.bulatlat.com/2019/04/07/international-lawyers-group-slams-red-baiting-of-nupl/

https://www.fightbacknews.org/2019/4/7/ilps-condemns-duterte-slander-and-intimidation

http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/red-tagging-of-nupl-and-other-groups-legally-punishable/

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/05/19/icc-receives-another-communication-on-dutertes-drug-war

https://www.ucanews.com/news/duterte-threatens-to-arrest-all-his-critics/84902

https://www.manilatimes.net/funding-reds-may-turn-into-transnational-crime/536093/

https://nupl.net/

The Philippines: Protect, don’t attack lawyers, foreign delegation tells Duterte

March 18, 2019

International delegation of lawyers to present their initial findings on attacks on lawyers in the Philippines @gmanews pic.twitter.com/Ny17WChyUN

— Nicole Lagrimas (@nclagrimas) March 18, 2019

 

A delegation of foreign lawyers has asked President Rodrigo Duterte to protect, and refrain from “publicly attacking,” lawyers, after it found a “sharp increase” in human rights violations against legal professionals during the current administration.

The President should instead publicly condemn attacks, the nine-member delegation said after conducting a brief study of 13 violent incidents against lawyers in the last two years.

The mission learned there was “no structural protection, compensation or remedy for the victims and their families,” as well as a “lack of effective oversight of executive bodies  and law enforcement agencies, supporting a culture of impunity.”

As part of their study, the delegation, whose members come from Belgium, Italy, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, and the United States, also interviewed officers from the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation, which they said recognized the problem but seemed “frustrated” about local investigations.

At least 37 lawyers have been killed in the line of duty since the Duterte administration began, according to the count of the National Union of People’s Lawyers, one of the local groups that hosted the international mission.

…

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/688322/protect-don-rsquo-t-attack-lawyers-foreign-delegation-tells-duterte/story/

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/03/18/1902512/international-panel-lawyers-note-sharp-increase-rights-violations-vs-lawyers

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/18/19/intl-lawyers-found-severe-rights-violation-vs-ph-legal-professionals

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/03/18/foreign-lawyers-probe-killing-of-2-negros-lawyers/?fbclid=IwAR1Q6oSkIswArUf8GEyQAAnYSkmVHEOmVN2uAgBy60R8-QmmH65d05BR7_0

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1096812/intl-team-to-bare-findings-on-lawyers-killings?fbclid=IwAR3Vfn7N97WaUa0-c-6MbgL9uKGG_mNTwVs2gpNLVhAJ1vvW79dOXULhCnA&utm_expid=.XqNwTug2W6nwDVUSgFJXed.1

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1097119/pnp-afp-snub-foreign-delegation-probing-attacks-vs-lawyers?fbclid=IwAR2u4Okzoy_73-cMTKFsrLwpY4ujcrQXLVeGaYYPVClKHYjrI5Mq5bW2JLc&utm_expid=.XqNwTug2W6nwDVUSgFJXed.1

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/03/18/1902519/stop-publicizing-drug-lists-international-lawyers-groups-urge-government

https://www.rappler.com/nation/226031-international-probers-say-no-effective-investigation-lawyer-killings-philippines?fbclid=IwAR00wXQ9-P2dEsAk8jETU3CjGPXkTZxMbsHRX84lxZhM83v0KXcDaYSM1Lc

https://www.globalresearch.ca/tribunal-declares-trump-duterte-guilty-crimes-against-humanity/5671656

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1097242/intl-probers-blast-duterte-over-attacks-on-ph-lawyers?fbclid=IwAR0EEnnJRwgGTuq5taRTw6GvB9QwBFqWn63RNgXnq_5JeR6aaBh0gPmHW4I&utm_expid=.XqNwTug2W6nwDVUSgFJXed.1

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/3/18/International-Lawyer-Delegation-killings-Rodrigo-Duterte.html?fbclid=IwAR1Bi6eTW8mx4lK5I–F61b027iZ9zGmNC5NJCloC2nJc4BPi14K6T0eAP8

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/03/18/1902519/stop-publicizing-drug-lists-international-lawyers-groups-urge-government

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/03/18/1902536/palace-says-icc-investigators-wont-be-allowed-enter-philippines

https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/03/18/philippines-pullout-icc-wont-block-justice-drug-war

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/manila-bids-adieu-to-the-international-criminal-court-inquirer

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/03/19/guevarra-calls-preposterous-statements-saying-govt-behind-the-killing-of-lawyers-judges/

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1064992

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1097428/palace-twits-naysayers-confidence-strong-in-ph-despite-ejk-tag?utm_expid=.XqNwTug2W6nwDVUSgFJXed.1

https://www.rappler.com/nation/226163-foreign-delegation-probing-lawyer-killings-claim-heavy-surveillance-during-visit?fbclid=IwAR3IGq3nxMaSgO3bSnoY4KnmSptIIUgb-fX9SSwOxKGWDIsTa-PEVeH9izc

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1097728/intl-delegation-of-lawyers-we-were-tailed-threatened?fbclid=IwAR0tsiG7kteL_mYPWcG4bMwi9HqqHD-rqJhxxj59BTUJJcnDFDYkY5y1h0I&utm_expid=.XqNwTug2W6nwDVUSgFJXed.1

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/19/19/intl-lawyers-allege-they-were-watched-tailed-by-state-agents?fbclid=IwAR1x8wkK4AK6wne72qY19ja7ne1sFAz-udYzk_vSv-9baMq_qtMlK8GICrE

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/688490/state-sanctioned-lawyer-killings-show-proof-doj-chief-tells-foreign-panel/story/

https://thedailyguardian.net/negros/nbi-6-told-to-explain-ambush-case-probe/

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/03/20/1903102/nupl-surveillance-foreign-delegation-shows-threats-vs-philippine-lawyers/amp/?fbclid=IwAR2Nk4Q56crs7JpNqR4ryWbaOls3qgAl3QVn-pg1AWSanoZuMctZl41if4U

https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2019/03/18/les-philippines-se-retirent-de-la-cour-penale-internationale-qui-enquete-sur-leur-president-rodrigo-duterte_5437654_3210.html?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1g_k-zoX-hyHytT3m1A_A0rWYAruc1E-2_2Jbmea8E9og3QvAxb-NsjRQ#Echobox=1552902892 (FRANCAIS)

PRESS STATEMENT
19 March 2019

Knowing How it Feels:

Int’l Lawyers Looking Into Attacks on Ph Lawyers Harassed

It was so for real. And it stared at us right in our faces.

The International Delegation. of Lawyers which just concluded a Colloquium and issued a critical Initial Findings on the query into the attacks on Filipino judges, prosecutors, lawyers and paralegals was itself the subject of brazen threats, harassment, and surveillance yesterday.

At the press conference at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), a man in civilian clothes who identified himself as a military personnel approached an IBP staff and boasted that “these foreigners are now under surveillance.” Afterwards, he milled around the Delegation and was not-so-discreetly taking our pictures and snooping on our conversation. Meanwhile, a woman in sloppy civilian clothes was also close by and was looking ill at ease, reporting at the top of her voice to somebody over the phone. When asked by our hosts to identify herself, she claimed to be a media person but could not produce any form of identification at all.

Thereafter, the Delegation was closely tailed from the IBP to a mall where we took lunch
by two men in bullcaps riding in tandem on a motorcycle with no plate number. We were tailed until we reached our hotel where more men in civilian clothes and bullcaps were posted at both entrances, obviously stalking us and peering into the lobby and monitoring the ingress and egress of people and vehicles.

When one of the men visibly posted close to the entrance was confronted by the hotel security, he claimed he was waiting for his relative to check in though he was just standing outside pounding incessantly on his mobile phone for several hours already. We learned that he actually left for the night.

Also, a member of our host committee was also tailed presumably by the same group of people when she left the hotel.

Earlier today, a heavily tinted car parked at the basement of the hotel tailed the vehicle of our Delegation even while motorcycle-riding men were idly posted at the hotel’s street corner.

We were made to understand that our Delegation was probably the first foreign group to enter the country and conduct a firsthand open inquiry on the reported rights violations under the present Philippine government.

Under the contemporaneous circumstances and in the context of the usual reaction of the Duterte government towards opinions inconsistent with its official line, these vexatious acts against our Delegation appear to have the fingerprints of intimidation and reprisal by State agents.

It is indeed ironic that our lawyers’ delegation representing various legitimate and prestigious organizations from all over the world which openly met with government offices and officials – other than the police and military which gave us a runaround – will be subjected to brazen harassmen ourselves.

Even more outstandingly ironic is that we as international lawyers
made time to see things firsthand on the reported attacks on our peers and brethren out of genuine concern and who in good faith humbly put forward concrete recommendations for consideration by the authorities are ourselves the object of attack.

The respective embassies and missions of the members of our Delegation, the various international lawyers groups which organized, participated, supported and endorsed us, and the international community have been put on notice of this unacceptable harassment.

Indeed, to see and feel is to believe. And no amount of ad hominem insults and official denials of reality can change this matter of fact. But we will be back. #

References:

Suzanne Adely
Hans Gaasbeek
c/o 09159074183 2019lawyersdelegation@gmail.com

(National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers Facebook, 19/03/19)

(National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers Facebook, 18/03/19)

(Leila de Lima Facebook, 24/03/19)

(Leila de Lima Facebook, 24/03/19)

Among the conclusions of the international delegation of lawyers: There has been a sharp increase in human rights violations, particularly extrajudicial killings under the Duterte administration | @anjocalimario pic.twitter.com/2KKUmb4Dmt

— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) March 18, 2019

The International Delegation of Lawyers which looked into the attacks on Filipino judges, prosecutors, lawyers and paralegals claims it was “the subject of brazen threats, harassment, and surveillance yesterday.” | @anjocalimario pic.twitter.com/gzn2HAuRct

— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) March 19, 2019

The Philippines: INTERNATIONAL LAWYERS DELEGATION TO PRESENT INITIAL VIEWS AND INSIGHTS ON KILLINGS AND ATTACKS AGAINST FILIPINO LAWYERS

March 17, 2019

(National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers Facebook, 17/03/19)

https://www.bulatlat.com/2019/03/16/under-duterte-attacks-against-filipino-lawyers-escalating/

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1096812/intl-team-to-bare-findings-on-lawyers-killings?fbclid=IwAR2oKZ9hcla0lgK85HJFOwbcqN6IXIfEoo4w9NS6lhw69I8UX1e2jPcwyxY&utm_expid=.XqNwTug2W6nwDVUSgFJXed.1

https://www.ucanews.com/news/international-law-groups-decry-philippine-lawyer-slayings/84739

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/03/17/1901757/philippines-becomes-second-country-quit-icc

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1096594/group-appeals-to-duterte-stop-killing-lawyers?utm_expid=.XqNwTug2W6nwDVUSgFJXed.1

http://www.chrp.org.uk/2019/international-lawyers-groups-hold-colloquium-on-role-of-lawyers-in-ph/

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/688322/protect-don-rsquo-t-attack-lawyers-foreign-delegation-tells-duterte/story/

https://www.courrierinternational.com/depeche/les-philippines-quittent-la-cpi-qui-enquete-sur-leur-president.afp.com.20190316.doc.1eq294.xml?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&Echobox=1552863732&fbclid=IwAR0v5nlvAJhE0jVsjdVg5aA-blepd_xuh3y3Mbo4Jip8NINacsnklty3RVU (FRANCAIS)

NEWS RELEASE
18 March 2019

International Lawyers Delegation Findings:
Killings and reprisals restraining lawyers from fully and freely exercising their profession; Calls for stop to attacks of their peers and brethren

An international delegation of lawyers organized by the International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL), Union of International Advocates (UIA), and Day of the Endangered Lawyer Foundation who arrived in the Philippines to look firsthand into the targeting of lawyers and other legal professionals shared their initial findings today at a press conference at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

After a series of marathon interviews and conferences in Metro Manila and Iloilo with victims and their families, government and non-governmental offices and bar associations, the team of lawyers from Belgium, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands and the US made some initial findings, among others:

(a) That at least 37 members of the legal profession have been killed in the exercise of their duties and profession;
(b) As a consequence of President Duterte’s “war on drugs,” lawyers who defend those accused of drug crimes are maligned and subjected to real threats of attack;
(c) Red-tagging lawyers resulted to harassment, surveillance, loss of employment and killing; and
(d) That the practice of filing fabricated charges to pressure, harass, discredit and intimidate lawyers is prevalent.

The group also concluded that these have created a climate of fear and intimidation preventing or obstructing lawyers, judges and prosecutors from exercising their profession.

Members of the Delegation raised concerns over patterns suggesting a connection between the killings of lawyers and the actions of the police and the military.

The group humbly put forward a list of initial recommendations in their sincere desire to protect their peers and brethren, to ensure the independence of judges and lawyers, and to uphold basic due process for all, including those of critics and dissenters.

It called on their colleague the President to refrain from publicly attacking fellow lawyers and urged him to publicly condemn all attacks against lawyers and other members of the legal profession and to abide by the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.

The Delegation was participated in by the Confederation of Lawyers in Asia and the Pacific (COLAP), National Lawyers Guild (NLG) of the US, Progress Lawyers Network (PLN) of Belgium, Italian Democratic Lawyers, Japanese Lawyers for International Solidarity and Action (JALISA), and MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society of Korea.

It is also supported by the
Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers of UK, European Lawyers for World Human Rights and Democracy (ELDH), Dutch Lawyers for Lawyers, European Democratic Lawyers (AED), Hellenic Union of Progressive Lawyers (HUPL) of Greece, Italian National Bar, Dutch League of Human Rights and the International Association of Peoples’ Lawyers (IAPL).

The Delegation would come up with a full report forthwith and will submit their findings to international bodies, governments and international organizations.###

References:

Suzanne Adely
Hans Gaasbeek
c/o 09159074183 2019lawyersdelegation@gmail.com

(National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers Facebook, 18/03/19)

 

UIA joins an international delegation to Philippines against killings and attacks on lawyers. See announcement https://t.co/grdaCv4FLL https://t.co/kRQOp5CBJy

— UIA-Protection Of Lawyers / Défense de la Défense (@UIAdefense) March 15, 2019

9-member delegation to look into attacks on Filipino lawyers https://t.co/6ow5krcFCT

— lenolea (@LenOlea) March 16, 2019

The Philippines: Int’l group in Philippines to investigate killing of lawyers

March 16, 2019

An international delegation has arrived in Manila to investigate the killing of lawyers in the country, days after the March 13 murder of Rex Jasper Lopoz in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, brought to 38 the number of lawyers killed since President Duterte assumed office in 2016.

The delegation is composed of lawyers from six countries—Belgium, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands and the United States—who are tasked with interviewing survivors, victims’ relatives, government agencies, judges and prosecutors until Monday.

Edre Olalia of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), which is hosting the delegation, said the group came to the country on their own initiative after the killing in November last year of founding NUPL member Benjamin Tarug Ramos in Negros Occidental.

“When he was killed, a lot of condemnation came in, and some of them asked, ‘Is there anything we can do? Can we come down and check what the real situation is?’” Olalia said.

Focus on 15 cases

Various lawyers’ groups are represented in the delegation, including the International Association of Democratic Lawyers, Union of International Advocates and Day of Endangered Lawyers Foundation.

Olalia said the group would investigate 15 recent killings that had occurred throughout Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao by speaking with lawyers themselves who had survived near-death situations or the families of those who had been slain.

…

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1096432/intl-group-in-philippines-to-investigate-killing-of-lawyers?utm_expid=.XqNwTug2W6nwDVUSgFJXed.1

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/03/16/ibp-asks-sc-to-probe-continued-killing-of-lawyers/

https://www.ucanews.com/news/international-law-groups-decry-philippine-lawyer-slayings/84739

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1096196/attacks-vs-lawyers-due-to-misconceptions-about-their-role-in-society-intl-group?utm_expid=.XqNwTug2W6nwDVUSgFJXed.1

https://www.bulatlat.com/2019/03/16/under-duterte-attacks-against-filipino-lawyers-escalating/

(L’Observatoire des Avocats Facebook, 16/03/19)

The Philippines: International lawyers’ groups to probe attacks on Filipino counterparts

March 15, 2019

Alarmed with the attacks on lawyers, judges and prosecutors in the Philippines, nine foreign lawyers from six different countries have come to the country to conduct their own investigation.

The fact-finding mission is composed of lawyers from Belgium, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands and United States.

Suzanne Adely of National Lawyers Guild (NLG) of the U.S, and International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) said the delegation is hoping to collect information and answers from government institutions about the alarming rate of extrajudicial killings of lawyers and judges.

According to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), 38 lawyers have been killed under the Duterte administration. On March 14, another lawyer, Rex Jasper Lopoz, was gunned down in Tagum City.

Adely said their mission will focus on the extrajudicial killings of lawyers. “We cannot expect to be able to fight for justice if we cannot protect the peoples’ lawyers,” Adely told Bulatlat in an interview.

A trade unionist based in New York, Adely said she has been active in solidarity work with Filipinos in the U.S. and has learned about the political situation in the Philippines from her Filipino friends. “I always knew that I would come at some point,” she said.

Also joining the delegation is Johannes Karel Geesbaak, director of the Foundation for the Day of the Endangered Lawyer, who joined similar missions in the country during the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

“The situation has not changed since the last time,” Geesbaak said during the colloquium held at the IBP building, March 15.

International fact-finding missions investigating the attacks on Filipino lawyers were conducted in 2006  and in 2008.  The 2008 mission noted little or no progress has been made in the cases investigated in 2006.

…

https://www.bulatlat.com/2019/03/15/international-lawyers-groups-to-probe-attacks-on-filipino-counterparts/?fbclid=IwAR2dWkMIS6fjbGWjXOXiclNQIjOt-JvjRyl3SRsQxqzfqwx1HeneR3ULs6g

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1095874/foreign-lawyers-to-probe-attacks-on-filipino-counterparts?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3auDnuyrSbktxDyraskUIwpGElYP3T-nURTkkZDV8tS22SMdmzjqn6tG8#Echobox=1552570466&utm_expid=.XqNwTug2W6nwDVUSgFJXed.1&utm_expid=.XqNwTug2W6nwDVUSgFJXed.1&utm_expid=.XqNwTug2W6nwDVUSgFJXed.1

https://www.ucanews.com/news/international-law-groups-decry-philippine-lawyer-slayings/84739

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/14/19/colmenares-blames-duterte-for-threats-attacks-vs-lawyers

http://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/3/15/IBP-lawyer-deaths.html

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/03/15/1901640/extrajudicial-killings-chief-concern-philippines

https://www.pinoyabrod.net/nupl-slams-vicious-red-tagging/?fbclid=IwAR2RmLjlBv8qAKWtPOzkM1OB7CblT4UuH3W9jJdF9TTMAWdw9Pu-XAe0O4o

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/219508/chr-calls-on-govt-to-ensure-protection-of-leftist-lawyers

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/14/19/lawyers-group-condemns-tagum-attorneys-slay

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/03/15/1901529/lawyer-shot-dead-davao-del-norte

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1096196/attacks-vs-lawyers-due-to-misconceptions-about-their-role-in-society-intl-group?utm_expid=.XqNwTug2W6nwDVUSgFJXed.1

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/03/15/1901709/us-report-philippine-govt-execs-under-pressure-not-cooperate-intl-rights-groups

https://www.rappler.com/nation/225787-groups-denounce-lawyer-rex-lopoz-killing-march-2019

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2019/03/chief-justice-ibp-urge-probe-on-killing-of-lawyer-in-tagum/

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1064602

https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/03/15/philippine-lawyer-possible-victim-drug-war-murder

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/03/16/1901988/hrw-38th-lawyer-killed-duterte-admin-possible-drug-war-murder-victim

https://truthout.org/articles/tribunal-declares-trump-and-duterte-guilty-of-crimes-against-humanity/

PRESS STATEMENT
15 March 2019

Legal Forum highlights crucial role of lawyers;
Int’l delegation of lawyers looks into attacks on peers & brethren

PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE’S misconception of the role of lawyers in society has largely contributed to the continuing attacks and threats on the legal profession. This was highlighted during the Colloquium on the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers: Focus on the Philippines held yesterday March 14 at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).

Over the past three years of Duterte’s administration, at least 37 lawyers, judges, and prosecutors – or more than one per month- have been killed since President Duterte assumed power on 1 July 2016. At least 26 incidents of other forms of attacks and threats have been recorded.

“I hope that we can educate the population on the indispensable role of lawyers in society,” said IBP National President Abdiel Dan Elijah Fajardo. He added that: “I also hope that we can send the message across that we should not be attacked on the basis that we handle cases for a client.”

Day of the Endangered Lawyer Foundation Director Hans Gaasbeek of the Netherlands aired the same sentiment. Gaasbeek emphasized the need for governments to educate not only the people but also the police on the role of lawyers.

Meanwhile, the president of the Philippine Judges Association (PJA) believes that the government is doing its best to address the killing of judges. Judge Felix Reyes Jr. discussed how the Supreme Court deals with the killings and attacks on the members of the Judiciary. He said that the Supreme Court had issued an administrative order detailing the actions a judge may take to secure his life. The PJA has recorded at least 29 judges killed from 1999 to 2018.

The Colloquium, sponsored mainly by the International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL), Union of International Advocates (UIA) and Day of Endangered Lawyers Foundation (DELF), is part of the International Delegation of Lawyers to the Philippines. The
National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) and the IBP were requested to host the 9-member Delegation of lawyers from Belgium, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands and the US.

The International Delegation of Lawyers to the Philippines is organized by the IADL, UIA, DELF and supported by the Confederation of Lawyers in Asia and the Pacific (COLAP), National Lawyers Guild (NLG) of the US, Progress Lawyers Network (PLN) of Belgium, Italian Democratic Lawyers, Japanese Lawyers for International Solidarity and Action (JALISA), and MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society of Korea.

The Dutch Lawyers for Lawyers, European Lawyers for World Human Rights and Democracy (ELDH), European Democratic Lawyers (AED), Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers of UK,
Hellenic Union of Progressive Lawyers (HUPL) of Greece, Italian National Bar Association, the Dutch League of Human Rights and the International Association of Peoples’ Lawyers (IAPL) also endorse the activity.

The Delegation wishes to know the reasons and causes of various forms of attacks against Filipino lawyers, share opinions on recommendations to abate further attacks, and remind the auuthorities of its obligation to ensure that lawyers are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference.

They will be holding a series of meetings in Metro Manila and Iloilo and will publicly share their initial insights and views on Monday, March 18. #

Contact: M. Pinlac – Ad Hoc Delegation Secretariat
09159074183 2019lawyersdelegation@gmail.com

(Facebook, 15/03/19)