RP is dangerous place for lawyers, judges, says group


By RONNIE E. CALUMPITA
The Manila Times Reporter



The Philippines has become a dangerous place for lawyers and judges, an international association of lawyers declared on Monday.



The Netherlands-based International Association of People’s Lawyers (IAPL) said increasing violence committed against lawyers, judges and other members of the legal profession has become very alarming.



Since January this year, three lawyers and a law student were killed, namely Felidito Dacut (March 2005), Teresita Vidamo (February 2005), Ambrosio Matias and law student Leonard Matias (May 2005).



On top of the killings, a total of 11 cases of harassments and attacks against lawyers were documented this year by the Committee for the Defense of Lawyers (CODAL), a group of lawyers and legal practitioners in the Philippines which is a member of the IAPL.

The attacks include the assassination attempt on human-rights lawyer Romeo Capulong on March 7, 2005, and the listing of human-rights lawyers group Protestant Lawyers’ League and Free Legal Assistance Group as “enemies of the state” in a military document of the Armed Forces of the Philippines titled, “Knowing the Enemy.”



Last year, the IAPL said seven members of the legal profession were reported killed including three judges. They were lawyers Juvy Magsino, Arbet Yongco, Victoria Mangapit Sturch, Edgar Calizo, regional trial court judges Paterno Tiamson, Milnar Lammawin and Voltaire Rosales.



“These attacks against lawyers and judges are attacks against the legal profession as they impact on the independence and integrity of the practice of law.



“The attacks violate international principles and threaten the practice of law and the administration of justice,” the IAPL said in a statement.



The lawyer Neri Colmenares, CODAL spokesperson, urged the government to address the escalating violence against members of the legal profession, spearhead an investigation and bring the brains to justice.



Together with Colombia, the Philippines is labeled as the most dangerous place for lawyers, judges and other members of the legal profession, he said.



IAPL President Hakan Karakus of Turkey and board members Raf Jespers of Belgium and Dundar Gurses of the Netherlands spoke for the group.

PHilippines is a dangerous place for Lawyers, judges, etc?

add that to journalist, missionaries, tourists, Chinese businessman,...

why is this? because you can't have corruption if you have people who know what is going on. the people should protect lawyers. lawyers can topple corruption. believe it or not

that's why they are have one of the higher paying jobs in the Philippines to prevent corruption in law...

Whys it dangerous for chinese businessman?

Depending on the place. If you are in Sultan Kudarat and you are Christian - then the place is dangerous for you, it doesn't matter whether you're a lawyer, businessman, chinese or plain ole Juan dela Cruz.