The Supreme Court has ordered key officials to contact law enforcement agencies investigating the shooting of Atty. Joshua Lavega Abrina on Wednesday night to get constant updates on the development of the case, and for lower courts to review policies to improve security and ensure the safety of lawyers.
Acting Chief Justice Marvic Leonen said he has directed the Chief Marshal and Deputy Marshal for Luzon to be in constant communication with concerned agencies “to separately obtain updates regarding this incident, so that the Court is provided with the necessary information to further review its policies to ensure the safety of our lawyers.”
“I have also directed our Court Administrator to instruct the Executive Judges of our first- and second-level courts to hold dialogues and focused group discussions with the IBP (Integrated Bar of the Philippines) Chapters and other lawyers’ organizations within their territorial jurisdictions. These consultations aim to gain a better understanding of the situation in their area and gather recommendations on how the Court can further contribute to maintaining a level of safety for our lawyers,” Leonen said in a statement released by the high tribunal.
“The results will be forwarded to the Supreme Court Committees on Human Rights, Access to Justice, and Oversight of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for their immediate action,” he added.
The SC likewise noted that the IBP has already made moves to expedite the investigation to gather evidence for the eventual prosecution of the perpetrators and looks forward to receiving more information from the Palawan Chapter and the National Office of the IBP.
The High Court also extended sympathy to the family of Abrina as it strongly condemned “this senseless act of violence.”
“The killing of a member of the legal profession is a grave matter that strikes at the very core of justice and the rule of law. It must never be taken lightly,” Leonen stated.
