TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) chapter of the provinces of Kalinga and Apayao has called for justice for victims of extra-judicial killings in the locality.
In a statement, the chapter said it supports the efforts of the government to address the drug menace but expressed grave concern “with the recent unresolved killings in Kalinga Province.”
Chapter president Errol Comafay told the media the group is reacting to the alleged drug-related killings in Kalinga and that the chapter is not aware of any such cases taking place in Apayao.
The lawyers’ group could be referring to the killing of three male persons whose names appear in drug watch lists in three separate shooting incidents in the province in the month of July.
The chapter called on law enforcers to conduct “serious and credible” probes to ferret out and bring the killers to justice.
“We fear that the fragile peace and order in Kalinga Province will collapse if the killings continue and remain unresolved,” the statement said.
The chapter is offering legal assistance to the family of the victims and likewise for “law enforcers who were hurt and harassed in waging a legal battle against drugs.”
“We emphasize that the war against illegal drugs must be waged within the bounds of law. Otherwise, the very foundation of our democracy would crumble if the rule of law is not observed,” the statement concluded.**By Estanislao Albano, Jr.
