Facing risks to their personal safety amid the spate of political killings and forcible abductions, and confronting a Department of Justice, which violates the rule of law in order to protect the interests of the administration and prosecute its critics, makes work in defense of human rights more difficult for people’s organizations and their lawyers alike.
BY JHONG DE LA CRUZ
Bulatlat.com
Even as he longs for a more normal life, human rights lawyer Romeo Capulong said that he is proud that lawyers of his kind remain faithful to their profession despite the dangerous times. “I no longer live a normal life,” said the lead counsel of the Batasan 6, namely Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo, Teodoro Casino, and Joel Virador, and Anakpawis Party list Reps. Crispin Beltran and Rafael Mariano, and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Liza Masa, who are being charged with rebellion.
Lawyers as targets
Capulong said his name was mentioned in the very same information filed by the Department of Justice (DoJ) against 53 individuals allegedly involved in attempts to unseat Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last February.
Capulong said the administration has misused the mandate of the DOJ, as the arm of the executive branch, to harass human rights lawyers by tagging them as enemies of the state. Likewise, smear campaign has been carried out by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the military to malign lawyers like him, he said.
He stressed that the tide of violations has turned toward lawyers. “It’s more difficult now, because our work in defending victims of human rights violations makes us more vulnerable to harassments and killing,” said Capulong.
Since 2005, Capulong has noticed that he was the subject of surveillance operations. Reportedly, there were also failed attempts to assassinate him.
Protection of lawyers by the government is guaranteed under domestic and international laws, but the present administration not only failed to protect counsels. “It is a principal suspect in committing these violations,” he said.
Unfit
Capulong, a former United Nations Ad Litem judge, scoffed at Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales whom he said performs “with injustice” his duties in the department.
“I think he’s the most unfit to occupy that position. The most obnoxious character who has ever taken over that position,” he said. Critics said that the department has been muddled by partisan politics, favoring the Arroyo administration.
Partisan politics apparently has become the driving force for the department to manipulate cases against known anti-Arroyo personalities, he said. “He has already done a lot of damage to the DoJ, particularly the image and professionalism that is expected of the DoJ,” he added.
