Human rights lawyer shot dead in central Philippines

Ahuman rights lawyer became the 34th attorney to be killed under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte after being shot dead in the central Philippines, police and colleagues said yesterday.

Benjamin Ramos, 56, a founding member of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), was gunned down by two suspects late Tuesday in Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental province, 560 kilometres south of Manila.

“The victim sustained three gunshot wounds on his chest and was brought to (a nearby hospital) but was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician,” regional police director chief superintendent John Bulalacao said.

“The victim (served) as a lawyer for suspected rebels and suspected

drug users,” he added. “We assure the family of the victim of a thorough investigation to ensure the immediate arrest of the perpetrators so that justice will be served.”

The NUPL said Ramos was helping the families of nine sugarcane plantation workers killed by unidentified gunmen in the nearby city of Sagay on October 20. The Duterte administration

has been criticised for a violent anti-drug campaign that has left thousands dead.

“These beastly attacks by treacherous cowards cannot go on,” NUPL said in a statement.