Lawyer shot useless in Palawan, eighth killed below Marcos

(1st UPDATE) Joshua Lavega Abrina, slain in Puerto Princesa Metropolis, is the newest sufferer of lawyer killings within the nation

MANILA, Philippines – A lawyer was gunned down in Puerto Princesa Metropolis, Palawan, making him the eighth sufferer of authorized professionals’ killings since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took workplace in 2022.

Joshua Lavega Abrina, who labored for the Palawan places of work of the Division of Schooling and the Philippine Ports Authority, was killed by an unidentified assailant outdoors his house in Barangay San Jose at round 8:15 pm on Wednesday, September 17.

The sufferer had simply arrived from a prayer assembly and was unloading belongings from his automobile when he was shot useless, in accordance with a Puerto Princesa Metropolis police report. Abrina was rushed to the hospital, however was later declared useless on arrival.

Puerto Princesa Metropolis police mentioned they’re nonetheless figuring out the motive behind the killing and the suspect’s identification.

“Additional, this Workplace has already activated a Particular Investigation Activity Group to present targeted consideration to this case and guarantee its instant decision,” the native police added.

The Supreme Court docket, via Senior Affiliate Justice Marvic Leonen, condemned Abrina’s demise. Leonen mentioned the crime “is a grave matter that strikes on the very core of justice” and mustn’t ever be taken flippantly.

“I directed the Chief Marshal and Deputy Marshal for Luzon to contact the related investigative and legislation enforcement companies to individually get hold of updates relating to this incident in order that the Court docket is supplied with the mandatory info to additional assessment its insurance policies to make sure the security of our attorneys,” the senior Justice of the Peace mentioned in an announcement.

In an announcement, the Built-in Bar of the Philippines (IBP) — the necessary bar group for attorneys within the nation — condemned Abrina’s killing, saying it was towards “the very rules of justice, accountability, and reality that [their] occupation upholds.”

“The IBP Palawan Chapter vows to exhaust all authorized means to make sure that justice for Atty. Abrina is totally and uncompromisingly served. We is not going to relaxation. We is not going to be silent. We is not going to be cowed. For each lawyer killed is a blow to the pursuit of justice — and we mustn’t ever let injustice prevail,” the IBP Palawan chapter mentioned.

Based mostly on the tally of attorneys group Nationwide Union of Peoples’ Attorneys, Abrina is the eighth sufferer of the continued violence towards attorneys, prosecutors, and judges within the Philippines. Right here’s the checklist of attorneys killed below the present administration:

• Joshua Lavega Abrina (September 17, 2025)
• Bai Maceda Lidasan-Abo (March 26, 2025)
• Junisa Kimamao (March 17, 2025)
• Ibrahim Pendatu (March 17, 2025)
• Prosecutor Eleanor dela Peña (June 10, 2024)
• Ma. Saniata Alzate (September 14, 2023)
• Elmer Mape (August 22, 2023)
• Alberto Magulta (June 15, 2023)

“Over the previous years, attorneys throughout the nation have been harassed, attacked, and killed merely for performing their responsibility to their purchasers, to the courts, and to the Structure. These alarming incidents replicate a rising tradition of impunity and lawlessness that threatens the very material of our justice system,” the IBP Palawan mentioned. – Rappler.com