IBP condemns killing of ‘good, selfless’ Negros Oriental lawyer

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Monday condemned the killing of a Negros Oriental lawyer and called for a quick and effective investigation into the ambush that also hurt the lawyer's wife.

The IBP Board of Governors honored the late Anthony Trinidad as a "good and selfless lawyer" whom they said had foregone a lucrative career in Manila and Dumaguete City to settle in his hometown of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

"He quietly and responsibly practiced law and handled not a few public interest and free legal aid cases," the IBP said in a statement.

Trinidad, 53, was shot several times by motorcycle-riding suspects who approached him while he was in his vehicle last week. His wife, Novie Marie, was wounded and rushed to a hospital in Dumaguete City.

The Department of Justice has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the crime. President Rodrigo Duterte has also ordered a "thorough" investigation.

"Filipino lawyers and our country demand that the law enforcement, investigating, and prosecuting agencies of government do their job well and with dispatch, lest everyone lose trust and hope in our justice system and government," the IBP said.

"For if lawyers who are the sentinels of the rule of law and who serve the poor are themselves assassinated with impunity, no one would be safe and no one would expect justice in our country," it added.

The IBP, the organization of all Philippine lawyers, said it will allot "significantly more" benefits for Trinidad "and all others who may be attacked possibly for their public interest lawyering."

Four people -- Trinidad and three local officials -- were killed last week in Guihulngan, a northern city located 129 kilometers away from the Negros Oriental capital of Dumaguete City.

Philippine National Police chief Police General Oscar Albayalde said he has  ordered the deployment of over 300 elite Special Action Force commandos to the island of Negros following the series of killings there. — Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/RSJ, GMA News