LAWMAKERS of the Makabayan bloc filed a House Resolution to condemn and investigate the killing of a human rights lawyer in Surallah, South Cotabato.

In filing the House Resolution 2223, the progressive lawmakers urged the House Committee on Human Rights to probe the killing of human rights lawyer Juan Macababbad.

On September 15, at around 5:30 p.m., Macababbad was shot dead by two assailants outside his residence in Surallah. The lawyer reportedly sustained at least five gunshot wounds, some of them on the head.

"Lawyer Juan Macababbad was the Vice Chairperson of the Union of People's Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) and a member of the National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL). He also served as concurrent chair of UPLM's Soccsksargen chapter. The human rights lawyer was also an active Bayan Muna member who ran but lost in the vice mayoralty race in their town during the 2019 local elections," the resolution read.

"He also served as a legal counsel to indigenous peoples, including teachers of indigenous schools and indigenous community members in the region, as well as for several political prisoners in the region," the resolution added.

"It is imperative for members of Congress, as representatives of our people, to defend the rights of our people, and check on excesses and violations, especially in this time of crisis," the progressive lawmakers pointed out in the resolution.

"According to human rights organization Karapatan, before the killing, lawyer Macababbad already received death threats reportedly due to his human rights advocacies," the resolution also stated.

"It must bring perpetrators to account to put a stop to the killings and rights violations against its people. Laws and rules should serve the interest of our people, and should not be weaponized to suppress their rights and oppress them."

The Makabayan bloc is composed of Bayan Muna Representatives Carlos Isagani Zarate, Eufemia Cullamat and Ferdinand Gaite; Gabriela Women's Party Rep. Arlene Brosas, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro and Kabataan party-list Rep. Sarah Jane Elago.

CHR denounces killing

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), meanwhile, launched its independent probe on the killing of Macababbad.

Lawyer Jacqueline Ann de Guia, CHR spokesperson, issued the statement Friday with the commission "strongly" denouncing" the latest killing of "another agent of law" and an active defender of people’s rights and interest.

"The string of attacks against members of the legal profession remains unrelenting. Aside from the glaring violation on the right to life, this pattern of killings also contributes to the erosion of rule of law as it creates a chilling effect on those working for the pursuit of justice," de Guia said.

"It is crucial that lawyers and human rights advocates are able to do their noble work without fear of reprisal and retribution. We continue to ask the government for swift action and proactive efforts that will ensure the protection of lawyers, including the vulnerable sectors that they represent."

Local police reports from Maj. Romy Catañares, chief of Surallah municipal police station, said the perpetrators might have pretended as clients to get close to the victim. An empty envelope was found at the crime scene. He said that while Macababad handled many clients, he withdrew from a case due to a threat.

Thorough investigation

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar on Thursday ordered the Soccsksargen police to conduct a "thorough probe" into the killing of Macababbad.

"The Philippine National Police joins the legal community and the Filipino people in condemning the killing of a lawyer in South Cotabato," he said in a statement.

Eleazar said he ordered the local police to focus on the case in order to determine the motive of the incident and identify the three perpetrators who fled on a motorcycle.

The PNP chief also tasked the PNP's Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management to check on the status of other cases involving members of the legal community.

"Walang lugar sa ating bansa ang mga ganitong uri ng karahasan (There's no place for this kind of violence in the country)," he said.

The UPLM said he is the 58th lawyer and the third NUPL member killed under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The group decried what it sees as a "culture of impunity," and the "lack of serious investigation and prosecution" in the country.

"The legal profession is not spared, and our colleagues have become main targets, especially those who resist tyranny and defend human rights," the UPLM said.

Last month, a lawyer was ambushed by a lone gunman in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.