By SHERWIN DE VERA
Northern Dispatch
BAGUIO CITY — Provincial officials, lawyers, and progressive groups have condemned the killing of a lawyer in Bangued, the provincial capital, on the afternoon of September 14.
In Abra, Governor Dominic Valera and Representative Menchie ‘Ching’ Bernos denounced the murder of Ma. Saniata Liwliwa Gonzales Alzate.
A gunman shot Alzate several times at close range inside her parked car in front of their home in Santiago St, Zone 3. The assailant fled with a companion on a motorcycle.
“We strongly condemn the merciless killing of Atty. Ma. Saniata Liwliwa Gonzales Alzate, a strong-willed lawyer, a defender of those in need, and a friend to many, who was shot to death multiple times by men who are yet to be identified,” Valera said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Bernos said: “We condemn this tragic incident as an attack not only on the life and legacy of Atty. Alzate, but also on the peace-loving community of Abrenos—the community that she stood with and fought for.”
The officials urged authorities for a speedy resolution of the case. They also called on the public to assist in identifying the perpetrators.
The victim is the wife of former regional trial court judge Raphiel F. Alzate, and former president of IBP Abra, and chair of its Legal Aid Committee.
‘Brilliant, principled lawyer’
In separate statements, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and its formations in Northern Luzon and La Union also expressed grief and condemnation over the killing of their colleague. They also urge the authorities for the immediate apprehension of the suspects.
IBP La Union said Alzate was “a brilliant legal aid & public interest case lawyer,” while its Northern Luzon body described her as “a strongly principled lady lawyer and an epitome of valor, [who] readily heeded the call for help of the underprivileged, oppressed, and downtrodden.”
Alzate was the lawyer who, in February, secured a favorable ruling on a petition for a Writ of Amparo to protect a woman and her son.
Abra Judge Bonhoffer Bernardez ordered the police to stay away from Remedios Billedo and her son Excel, who was allegedly abducted, detained, and tortured by authorities in Bangued.
“Her brazen murder serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive threats faced by lawyers, judges, and officers of the Court across the Philippines,” the IBP said.
“In a society built upon the foundations of justice and equity, there is no place, nor can there be any tolerance, for those who would assail those dedicated to upholding the legal profession and the cause of justice,” the group added.
‘Climate of impunity’
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) underscored that “the persistent climate of impunity renders possible these brazen, daylight killings of members of the legal profession, including judges and prosecutors.”
Based on the group’s tally, Alzate is the third lawyer killed under the administration of Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. The other two were Danny Pondevilla, killed in Bacolod City on December 20 last year, and Elmer Mape, murdered on August 22 in Villaba, Leyte.
Meanwhile, human rights group Karapatan said the “prevailing climate of impunity” has benefited the perpetrators, with only seven cases resulting in charges filed in court from 2004 to 2021.
“According to reports, since 2016, at least 61 lawyers, judges, and prosecutors have been killed under the Duterte regime. In the 44 months from July 1, 2016, to February 28, 2020 alone, 67 lawyers, prosecutors, and judges were violently attacked in the Philippines, resulting in 55 deaths,” Karapatan stated.
The group added: “Evidently, Atty. Alzate’s murder shows that impunity reigns, with attacks against lawyers and judges continuing under the Marcos Jr. administration.” # nordis.net
