Groups condemn attack on Iloilo lawyer
SEVERAL groups condemned on Thursday the attack against lawyer Angelo Karlo “AK” Guillen, one of the lawyers in the 37 petitions seeking to declare as unconstitutional the Anti-terrorism law of 2020, who was stabbed in the head and at the back on Wednesday evening by two unidentified men in Iloilo City.
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) where Guillen also serves as assistant vice president in the Visayas, called on police authorities to immediately bring to justice those who were responsible for the attack.
Guillen, a human-rights lawyer, is also NUPL’S secretary-general in Panay.
“The brazen attack against the life of Atty. AK Guillen is an open and direct attack not only against the NUPL but also against members of the legal profession who chose to live and uphold their oath and duty in the service of the people,” NUPL president Edre Olalia said.
“In one voice, let us condemn this latest attack and call for accountability for those responsible for the attempt on Atty. Guillen’s life. In one voice, let us all call for an end to this impunity,” he added.
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) said the attack against Guillen only proves that “the danger and terror“real and asked the government to perform its mandate “to secure its citizens and international commitment to ensure that lawyers can do their job without fear, harassment or retribution.”
“We pray for his safety and wellbeing as he grapples to survive two stab wounds with 12-inch screw drivers on his head and back by two masked criminals who were picked up with two motorcycles right after the treacherous attack,” IBP National President Domingo Cayosa said.
“Inf licting violence on those who seek justice is criminality to the highest degree,” he added.
Two men wearing face masks and baseball caps reportedly attack Guillen at around 9:15 p.m. along Gen. Luna Street in Iloilo City.
According to the NUPL as of 11:03 p.m. of March 3, Guillen has been declared in stable condition at a local hospital.
Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra said they would wait for the opportunity to talk with Guillen before deciding if the Administrative Order 35 (AO 35) Task Force should be mobilized to conduct its own investigation.
The AO 35, headed by the DOJ, is an inter-agency committee (IAC) on Extrajudicial Killings (EJK) with the mandate to investigate summary killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other grave violations to the rights to life, liberty and security of persons.
Guillen is one of the legal counsels in the petition filed by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan against the implementation of the Anti-terrorism law of 2020 before the Supreme Court.