AJLPP Update

June 1, 2009



LETTER TO THE EDITOR ON THE AFP " HIT LIST"

Military’s ‘hit list’ repugnant to rule of law

Manila--The Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Davao City Chapter joins the Free Legal Assistance Group, the Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao and the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in strongly condemning the inclusion of law-abiding citizens and members of the IBP and legitimate organizations in the so-called “Order of Battle” of the 10th Infantry Division (10th ID) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. What is the basis for including them in the list?

The “Order of Battle” is nothing but a hit list of people the military has identified as “enemies of the state.” It makes the military the prosecutor, judge and executioner all at the same time. It is unconstitutional and repugnant to the rule of law and the democratic processes. It is a clear indication of the military’s utter disregard for human rights. It makes those in the list vulnerable and open targets for unreasonable and abusive soldiers; not only does the “Order of Battle” endanger the lives of those who are on the list, it also undermines their families’ peace of mind and sense of security.

Lawyers Carlos Isagani Zarate, Angela Librado-Trinidad, Lilibeth Ladaga, Noreen Minette Manatad and Benjamin de Guzman are members of good standing of the IBP-Davao City Chapter, while Beverly Musni is a member of the Misamis Oriental Chapter. Zarate and De Guzman are former presidents of the Davao City Chapter. Trinidad is an incumbent councilor of Davao City. It is simply reckless, irresponsible and stupid to include these lawyers in the AFP’s “Order of Battle.” The inclusion of these lawyers in the “Order of Battle” shows the military’s ignorance of the duties and responsibilities of lawyers. God forbid, they could be the next victims, given all the unsolved extrajudicial killings that have been linked to the military.

The 10th ID should be held accountable for making this “Order of Battle.”

We call on the AFP and the Department of National Defense to scrap the “Order of Battle.” We are not under martial law. Dissent is part of the freedom of speech and expression, and it is guaranteed by the Constitution. Criticizing this government and its excesses is a duty of citizenship.

Finally, the IBP-Davao City Chapter also fully supports whatever legal moves our colleagues decide to undertake in the defense of their rights and those of others unjustly vilified by the “Order of Battle.”

—SOCORRO T. ERMAC-CABREROS,

chapter president;

MARTIN DELGRA,

public relations officer;

MANUEL P. QUIBOD,

immediate past president,

Integrated Bar of the

Philippines Davao Chapter,

ibpdavao0709@yahoo.com.ph