THE PHILIPPINE’S official organization of lawyers condemned the murder of a lawyer in Batangas last Feb. 17, the 70th member of the judicial sector killed since 2016.

“We are one with the bereaved family and friends in their grief,” the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) said in a statement in Filipino issued by its Board of Governors on Feb. 21.

“It is not the fault of a lawyer to defend the rights of those oppressed, especially those who do not have the means to seek a lawyer,” it added.

Michael C. Manito, a member of the IBP Batangas Chapter and was running for a council seat in Sto. Tomas City, was shot dead by two unidentified assailants inside his office. He is survived by his wife who is three months pregnant and three other children.

“This merciless killing is not unlike other violent killings on other lawyers, the number of these killings has grown to 70 since 2016,” IBP said in Filipino.

The group called on the National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine National Police to investigate and apprehend the perpetrators.

“The Filipino people have lost a lawyer who fought for the rights of those neglected by society, it is only right that his family gets the justice they deserve,” IBP said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

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