IBP exec: Killings in justice sector to worsen criminality in PHL

The killings among workers in the judicial system of the Philippines should stop as this could eventually give criminals a stronger foothold in society, Integrated Bar of the Philippines president Domingo Cayosa said Thursday.

During a hearing on the spate of killings in the country, including lawyers, Cayosa said Congress should really pass the bill creating the Philippine Marshall Service for protection of workers in the justice sector.

He said it shall not only provide security for judges but also fiscals, and lawyers from the Public Attorney's Office, among others.

"Importante na makita ng taumbayan na 'yung mga icons or workers in the justice sector ay hindi ho sila namamatay with impunity," Cayosa said.

"The impact here is that nawawalan ho ng bilib at paniwala ang ordinaryong taumbayan kasi ito na ho, 'yung nagtatrabaho sa justice sector, napapatay at walang nangyayari, eh mas lalo na ho ang ordinaryong Pilipino," he added.

Impunity also discourages the resolve of those in law enforcement as it creates a climate of fear for safety, according to the IBP president.

"Kung hihina ang loob ng mga law enforcer, ang nagpapatakbo ng hustisya, luluwang ho at lalalim ang magiging role ng mga kriminal becasue they will take the law into their own hands," he warned.

According to the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers, more than 50 lawyers, including judges and prosecutors, have been killed since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in 2016.

Earlier this month, lawyers groups and government agencies met to discuss security issues amid the killings of members of the legal profession in the country. — Dona Magsino/RSJ, GMA News