An international delegation has arrived in Manila to investigate the killing of lawyers in the country, days after the March 13 murder of Rex Jasper Lopoz in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, brought to 38 the number of lawyers killed since President Duterte assumed office in 2016. ADVERTISEMENTEdre Olalia of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), which is hosting the delegation, said the group came to the country on their own initiative after the killing in November last year of founding NUPL member Benjamin Tarug Ramos in Negros Occidental. “When he was killed, a lot of condemnation came in, and some of them asked, ‘Is there anything we can do? Focus on 15 casesVarious lawyers’ groups are represented in the delegation, including the International Association of Democratic Lawyers, Union of International Advocates and Day of Endangered Lawyers Foundation. “Two lawyers in the family killed in the time of PDigong (President Duterte) administration shows impunity at its worst,” Arvin said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 15, 2019 21:33 UTC