Karapatan grieves with the family, friends and colleagues of Atty. Juan Macababbad, Vice Chairperson of the Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao, as we deplore his killing this afternoon.
According to initial reports, two gunmen killed Atty. Macababbad outside his home in Surallah, South Cotabato at 5:30pm today, September 15, 2021.
Atty. Macababbad served as legal counsel to indigenous peoples, teachers and community members in the SOCSKSARGEN. He joined several factfinding missions, including the fact finding mission on the massacre of indigenous peoples leaders in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. He likewise lawyered for political prisoners in the region.
He received death threats before his murder, purportedly due to his staunch human rights advocacy.
Such attacks against those in the legal profession, particularly against the committed and tireless human rights defenders among them, should stop. We demand justice for Atty. Macababbad and all lawyers killed inder this administration. We call for accountability for those who are fostering this climate of impunity that has led to these killings and attacks against those who serve the poor and vulnerable communities.
Justice for Atty. Juan Macababbad!
Justice for all victims of extrajudicial killings!
Cristina Palabay
Karapatan Secretary General