Mayor Ahong vows to protect lawyers

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ahong Chan

By Junex Doronio

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Deeply concerned by the rising incidents of lawyers being killed, Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan this city has promised to give ample protection to the members of the Cebu chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).

Lawyer Baby Maria Concepcion Landero-Ole was the second lawyer killed in Cebu within the span of a month. She was reportedly the 54th judge, lawyer, or prosecutor killed since 2016.

“Hugtanon nakong gikondenar ang maong pait nga mga panghitabo hilabi na nga sayod kita sa kabililhon ug sa ka dako sa importansya sa ilang responsibilidad isip mga lawyers sa atong komunidad. Tungod niana, mihatag kita sa atong tibuok nga suporta sa ilang hangyo nga mapun-an pa ang atong mga existing CCTV cameras sa mga publikong mga lugar (I strongly condemn the unfortunate incident, specially when we are aware the value and the great importance of their responsibilities as lawyers in our community. With this consideration, we give them full support to their request to add more to the existingng CCTV cameras in public places),” Chan said following the fatal shooting of Landero-Ole in the northern part of Cebu province.

On December 17 last year, Landero-Ole was on her way to Cebu City when she was shot in Danao City. She was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

The lady lawyer was killed almost six months after her husband, Juanito, was shot dead while buying banana cue by two unidentified men in Danao City.

Barely three weeks before she was killed, Lawyer Joey Luis Wee was gunned down by an assailant while on his way to his law office in Cebu City on Nov. 23 last year.

“The alarming rate of lawyers being treacherously attacked is something that we cannot take with just a grain of salt,” said the members of the IBP-Cebu City Chapter who paid courtesy call to Chan recently.

The mayor promised protection for the lawyers as he expressed belief that the installation of more CCTV cameras will somehow deter violent crimes.

“Gani, aduna na kitay gi-order nga mga bag-ong units. Anaa na pod kitay existing ordinance nga mag-require sa atong mga estabisemento nga mag-install og mga CCTV cameras lakip na ang mga schools, subdivisions, malls ug uban pa. Padayon pod ang atong paningkamot nga mabutangan og mga suga ang mga ngitngit nga bahin sa syudad para luwas nga makalakaw ang atong mga kaigsuonan (We have ordered new units. We have an existing ordinance that requires the establishments, including schools, subdivisions, malls, among others to install CCTV cameras. We will be putting up lights in the dark corners for the safety of our constituents),” Chan bared.

Despite the tragic incidents, the mayor praised the steadfast dedication of the members of IBP Cebu City Chapter and of the IBP Cebu Province Chapter to render free legal services to the residents of this city. (AI/MTVN)