MANILA -- The Prosecutors' League of the Philippines (PLP) has condemned the series of killing and ambushes of prosecutors in different parts of the country.
“We are outraged by these unfortunate and untoward events exposing government prosecutors to risks and perils of being ambushed and killed as we share the grief and sorrow of the families of these senseless incidents,” PLP said a statement Wednesday.
The PLP slammed forms of repression against prosecutors, noting that such brutality "will not weaken our resolve as prosecutors for the People of the Philippines."
“We call on the President of the Philippines, who is himself a former Prosecutor, and the Secretary of Justice to direct the proper authorities to conduct a thorough and speedy investigation on the series of killings of Prosecutors and bring those responsible to the bar of justice,” PLP said.
Around six prosecutors have been attacked since October 2016 under the Duterte administration.
These include Quezon Assistant Provincial Prosecutor (APP) Reymund F. Luna on Sept. 29, 2017; Rizal APP Maria Ronatay on July 18, 2017; Caloocan Assistant State Prosecutor (ASP) Diosdado S. Azarcon on May 22, 2017; Quezon City ASP Noel Mingoa on Jan. 11 , 2017; Mati City Prosecutor (CP) Rolando Acido on Oct. 26, 2016 and Surigao CP Manuel Tesiorna, Jr., of Surigao City on Feb. 6. 2017.
Tesiorna survived the ambush but is still in the hospital and unable to move his lower body and breathe properly without oxygen support;
In a related development, Justice Secretary Aguirre II issued a memorandum granting the PLP's request calling on all prosecutors nationwide including the staff of National Prosecution Office (NPS) to wear black on Friday to express solidarity and condemn the series of killing of prosecutors.
“All prosecution offices nationwide may require their employees and staff to wear black only to express their grief and are hereby reminded not to cause any disruption in the operation and delivery of services,” read Memorandum Circular No. 57 signed by Aguirre on Tuesday.
Earlier, Aguirre ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe the killings. (PNA)
