The Justice department on Wednesday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to go after the people behind the killing of two lawyers in Palawan and Cebu City.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the NBI was working hard on the investigation of the death of Eric Jay Magcamit and Joey Luis Wee, who were shot dead within a week.
Magcamit was killed on a highway in Palawan while on his way to a hearing on Nov. 17. Wee was shot outside his office in Cebu City on Nov. 23.
Guevarra said more field operatives had been deployed in Palawan and Cebu to intensify the hunt for the killers.
“The government is very much concerned about the increasing number of crimes committed against lawyers, prosecutors and judges. While these are generally considered to be part of the hazards of the profession, the government is committed to bring the perpetrators of these crimes before the bar of justice,” Guevarra said in a text message to reporters.
Data showed that more than 50 lawyers, judges and prosecutors had been killed since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in 2016.
Some lawyers had expressed fears for their safety after they were “red-tagged” or accused of being communist rebels or fronts when they took on the cases of activists.
“There have been just too many deaths among our own ranks and the biggest irony is that we cannot even get justice ourselves,” human rights lawyer Edre Olalia said last week.
Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday expressed “deep concern” over its missing official, lawyer Ryan Oliva.
Oliva, chief of DOT’s Legislative Liaison Unit, has been reported missing and was last contacted on November 21.
He was last seen leaving their house in Quezon City.
The agency has been coordinating with the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and is in constant communication with Oliva’s family.
“The department urges everyone who may have any information on the whereabouts of Atty. Oliva to coordinate with the PNP- CIDG (through) its hotline: 0998-967-4924,” the agency said in a statement.
“The DOT also requests for prayers for successful search efforts and appeals for respect for the privacy of the Oliva family.”