NBI, CHR probe Cebu lawyer’s slay

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra ordered yesterday the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe the killing of human rights lawyer Rex Fernandez in Cebu City.

Guevarra said the NBI should file the appropriate charges and send its report on the development of the case.

Commission on Human Rights spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said the CHR would conduct a parallel probe.

“CHR decries the brazen assault against a person’s right to life. No reason can ever justify any act that will arbitrarily deprive people of their life,” De Guia said.

She reminded the government of its obligations to uphold and protect the rights of citizens, citing the growing list of unsolved killings and human right violations.

SC panel to accept reports

Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, chairman of the Supreme Court (SC)’s human rights committee said they would accept reports on the killing of Fernandez.

“We understand that law enforcement authorities and human rights and other groups will need time to gather the evidence, and therefore invite them to submit to us their findings by the end of September at the latest,” Leonen said.

He said they would welcome any report from the police and other organizations. He said they would submit the reports and recommendations for action by the SC en banc.

Fernandez, a founding member of the National Union of People’s Lawyers, was shot while his car was about to turn toward the highway in Barangay Guadalupe on Thursday. His driver was wounded in the attack.

Human rights group Karapatan joined calls to stop attacks against lawyers and for the government to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“As Karapatan’s former legal counsel, Rex Fernandez handled cases of rights violations and represented victims and their families in court
for years and defended political prisoners charged with trumped-up cases,” Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay said. – Robertzon Ramirez, Rhodina Villanueva