Hands Off Bicol People’s Lawyer Atty. Bart Rayco!
At approximately 6:00 a.m. today, staff at Jollikod, a local eatery in Legazpi City owned by the family of Atty. Bartolome “Bart” Rayco, discovered two bullets ominously left at the entrance. The bullets were bound with black ribbons, one tethered to a piece of stone wrapped in paper and plastic. The paper contained a threatening message that read: “Atty. Bart Rayco MALAPIT KA NA!!” (Atty. Bart Rayco, your end is near!!!). Earlier, witnesses reported seeing unidentified men on a motorcycle stop outside the premises at around 4:00 a.m.
August 28, 2026
NUPL
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers is a nationwide voluntary association of human rights lawyers in the Philippines, committed to the defense, protection, and promotion of human rights, especially of the poor and the oppressed.

PRESS STATEMENT

At approximately 6:00 a.m. today, staff at Jollikod, a local eatery in Legazpi City owned by the family of Atty. Bartolome “Bart” Rayco, discovered two bullets ominously left at the entrance. The bullets were bound with black ribbons, one tethered to a piece of stone wrapped in paper and plastic. The paper contained a threatening message that read: “Atty. Bart Rayco MALAPIT KA NA!!” (Atty. Bart Rayco, your end is near!!!). Earlier, witnesses reported seeing unidentified men on a motorcycle stop outside the premises at around 4:00 a.m. 

We condemn this blatant act of intimidation and unmistakable threat against Atty. Bart and his family.

Atty. Bart is a dedicated people’s lawyer who has long championed the rights of activists, political prisoners, and marginalized communities throughout the Bicol Region. A former NUPL Vice-President for Luzon and an active officer of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Albay Chapter, he is a pillar of the local legal community. He served as chairperson of the ALECO Multi-Sectoral Stakeholders Organization (AMSSO), where he defended the interests of Albay electricity consumers. His advocacy includes helping lead legal aid initiatives across Albay. 

No lawyer should face persecution for the clients they represent or the causes they advance. The UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers expressly mandate governments to ensure that legal professionals can perform their duties “without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference” (Principle 16). Furthermore, the State is obligated to safeguard lawyers who are threatened for discharging their functions (Principle 17) and to refrain from identifying them with their clients’ causes (Principle 18). An independent legal profession is the bedrock of human rights, due process, and meaningful access to justice.

We demand a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation into this incident. The perpetrators and their instigators must be held fully accountable and effective protection must be guaranteed for Atty. Bart and his family.

Hands off Atty. Bart Rayco! Stop the attacks against people’s lawyers! ###

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