IBP: Duterte's threat to lawyers of drug lords creates a 'chilling effect'

President Rodrigo Duterte's threat to include lawyers who defend drug suspects in his target list earned criticism on Friday from the country's mandatory organization of lawyers.

Duterte earlier lamented how drug lords managed to secure temporary liberty and delay cases through the aid of prized lawyers, prompting him to serve notice on their defenders in court.

Speaking at anti-corruption event on Wednesday, the President said the drug suspects had been taking advantage of the country's slow criminal justice system to continue with their illegal activities.

"The leadership of the IBP must emphasize that the statement of the President is very dangerous because of its unavoidable 'chilling effect' on lawyers handling drug-related cases," the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) said in a statement.

For the IBP, lawyers must be free to decide to accept and undertake the defense in any kind of criminal case "without any fear that doing so will place them in any kind of danger."

"Competent legal representation is not only the right of every accused but, more importantly, the sworn duty of each and every member of the bar to provide," the IBP said.

The lawyers' organization added the right of every accused to counsel is not only guaranteed by the Constitution but is "premised upon the fundamental principles of justice and fairness," particularly in a situation where the accused is faced with the "awesome resources" of the government.

However, the IBP assured the public that it will never tolerate or condone any of unethical conduct on the part of its members, much less any criminal involvement of any lawyer in the illegal drug trade.

Duterte earlier drew flak for threatening to kill human rights workers should the drug menace worsen.

But Malacañang played down the statement, saying it was one of his remarks that should not be taken seriously and could have been said out of frustration with working in government. — VVP, GMA News