The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers strongly condemns the killing of Prosecutor Eleanor “Ning” Dela Peña on the afternoon of June 10, 2024. According to reports, she was driving home around 5:00 pm in Digos City, Davao del Sur, when a lone motorcycle-riding gunman shot her to death.

Dela Peña’s murder brings the number of lawyer killings under the Bongbong Marcos administration to four. Since July 2022, the NUPL has recorded 43 incidents of attacks on lawyers, including six attempted killings.

Colleagues from Davao hailed Dela Peña as a dedicated public servant and a loving mother to her four children. She was the Assistant Provincial Prosecutor of Davao Occidental and the former President of IBP-Davao City.

The killings of lawyers have created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation among members of the bar. When perpetrators are not held accountable, the threat of violence discourages lawyers from taking on certain professional duties and hinders their ability to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

We are outraged that the question, “When will these attacks on members of the legal profession end?” remains merely rhetorical. But we refuse to live in fear and demand that our safety and security be ensured, knowing that the independent exercise of our profession is crucial for maintaining the rule of law and upholding justice.

We call on authorities to swiftly and thoroughly investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of Prosecutor Dela Peña’s dastardly murder.#

Reference:
NUPL Public Information Desk
+639174316396