EU condemns slay of human rights lawyer in Sagay

The European Union on Friday denounced the killing of a human rights lawyer in Negros Occidental and called on the Philippine government to immediately bring the perpetrators to justice.

In a statement, the EU said it “strongly condemns the killing by unidentified men on November 6, 2018 of Attorney Benjamin Tarug Ramos, Secretary General of Negros Occidental Chapter of the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers.”

Ramos was the main lawyer for the National Federation of Sugar Workers in Negros Occidental and provided assistance to farmers following the killing of nine sugar cane farmers in Sagay on October 20.

“The EU expresses its sincere condolences to the families of all the victims and looks to the ongoing investigations, as announced by the government, to swiftly bring those responsible to justice,” said the EU, a staunch advocate of human rights.

Ramos, 56, was shot by motorcycle-riding men and was declared dead on arrival at the hospital after sustaining three gunshot wounds.

He is the 34th lawyer killed under the Duterte administration.

The European bloc along with the United Nations and the United States - a close ally of the Philippines - have also repeatedly expressed concern on the wave of killings of drug suspects since Rodrigo Duterte came into power on June 30, 2016. At least 7,000 have reportedly been killed in the government’s bloody anti-drug war.

While they support the country’s campaign against illegal drugs, the EU, UN and the US maintained that due process and human rights must be observed by Philippine authorities in carrying out its operations.

Such position did not sit well with Duterte, who served as prosecutor, lawmaker and Davao City Mayor for 22 years and supports vigilante-style killings against supposed criminals in his city.

The tough-talking Philippine leader likened to US President Donald Trump for his use of vulgar language, populist remarks and his anti-establishment statements accused his critics of interfering in the country’s domestic affairs. —NB, GMA News