The Commission on Human Rights denounces the murderous assault against Atty Bayani Dalangin on 28 February 2020 by unknown gunmen inside his office in Talavera Town, Nueva Ecija.

The increasing number of violent attacks against and extra-judicial killings of lawyers in the Philippines demand serious attention and concern from the government and the people. These grave threats and attacks impair the ability of lawyers and other members of the justice sector to provide effective legal representation and hamper them to freely exercise their profession. Lawyers working on sensitive and high-profile cases face reprisals and are constantly wary of their safety and independence. Regrettably, the worsening impunity in the country continues to undermine the proper functioning of the rule of law including the right of people to remedies and fair trial.

The CHR appeals to the Philippine National Police and other local law enforcement agencies to carry out swift and full investigation of the case to hold perpetrators accountable, and to prevent reoccurrence of such violations. Likewise, we call on the government to guarantee the safety and physical integrity of lawyers by providing adequate protection measures, and to be mindful of its international treaty obligations to respect and guarantee fundamental freedoms integral to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

We strongly support the immediate passage of Senate Bill 1721 which seeks to protect the safety of members of the legal profession and the justice sector officials by increasing the penalty against crimes committed against them.

Lastly, the Commission extends its deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Atty Dalangin and commits to conduct an independent investigation of the case.###