Manlaban sa EJk offers free legal aide to kin of EJK victims

The new alliance of lawyers' organizations "Manlaban sa EJK" is offering free legal assistance to families of victims of alleged extrajudicial killings and human rights violations.

In an interview on "News to Go," Attorney Edre Olalia said Manlaban sa EJK would also conduct advocacy campaigns through forums and other platforms.

"Libre 'yan, ang tawag natin diyan, pro bono. Wala kaming inaasahan na kabayaran o kapalit man, ang legal assistance ay isa lang pong bahagi ng aming advocacy group," Olalia said.

"Meron din po kaming education component at meron din kaming mga plano na maglabas ng mga legal opinion o advisory at kasama din kami sa mga pagkilos at pagpupulong tulad ng nangyari kahapon," he added.

Olalia said that those who want to seek their legal assistance may reach them through their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Manlaban-sa-EJK or by sending an email at manlabansaejk@gmail.com.

He added that they are also planning on setting up a hotline.

"Manlaban sa EJK" is a wordplay on the common explanation of policemen who said that suspects are fighting back or "nanlaban."

Among the alliance's convenors include:

•     University of the Philippines College of Law Dean Pacifico Agabin
•     Atty. Minerva Ambrosio
•     Prof. Victoria Avena
•     Atty. Roberto Eugenio Cadiz, Human Rights Commissioner
•     Atty. Neri Colmenares, NUPL chairperson
•     De La Salle University College of Law founding Dean Jose Manuel Diokno
•     Ateneo School of Government former dean Antonio Laviña
•     NUPL president Atty. Edre Olalia
•     Atty. Rachel Pastores, president of the Public Interest Law Center
•     Prof. Roberto Rafael Pulido
•     Former Senator Rene Saguisag
•     Former congressman Atty. Lorenzo "Erin" Tanada III
•     Atty. Evalyn Ursua
•     Hon. Cleto Villacorta III

The alliance supported the recently concluded "Lord Heal Our Land Sunday", an event in which participants called on the government to put an end to alleged extrajudicial killings.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines along with along with multi-sectoral organizations such as Tindig Pilipinas, Layko, Kaya Natin Youth, and Youth Resist led the procession and candle-lighting ceremony at EDSA Shrine on Sunday. —NB, GMA News