The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday mentioned it has additionally began investigating the assault in opposition to a lawyer in Bangued, Abra.
“In line with our mandate as the country’s independent human rights institution, our regional office in the Cordillera Administrative Region is conducting a motu proprio investigation in aid of the pursuit of truth and accountability,” the CHR mentioned in a press release.
This comes after Atty. Hamilcar Bigornia, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Abra Chapter president, and his aide have been wounded after they have been attacked on January 29 inside his regulation workplace.
Both Bigornia and his aide survived the assault.
Meanwhile, the CHR referred to as on the IBP, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and different regulation enforcement businesses to look into the assault and comparable occurrences prior to now.
“CHR notes that threat, intimidation, and the many forms of violence experienced by lawyers, judges, and all those in the legal profession has been a continuing concern by the UN Human Rights Office,” it mentioned.
“Lawyers, judges, and all those in the legal profession are vital in administering justice, finding the truth, and protecting human rights. When lawyers are targeted, the rule of law is similarly under threat, which runs the risk of impunity persisting,” it later added.
According to the CHR, it’s keen to coordinate with the federal government to enhance the safety of legal professionals and human rights defenders.
For its half, the IBP has referred to as on the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the assault. — Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
