IAPL Condemns

the Brutal Killing of Filipino Human Rights Lawyer,

Atty. Gil Gojol

 

The International Association of People’s Lawyers (IAPL) condemns in the strongest terms the killing of Philippine human rights lawyer, Atty. Gil Gojol and his driver, Danilo France last Tuesday, December 12, 2006.

 

Atty. Gil Gojol had just finished a court hearing and was returning to Sorsogon City, Bicol Province, Philippines when four armed men, riding motorcycles shot at the van he was riding in.

 

The driver of the van, Danilo France, was the first one hit, causing the van to stop. Gojol apparently tried to flee the attackers but was shot in the buttocks. He fell on his face and was shot in the head. He sustained four gunshot wounds – one at the back, two below the waist and one at the head. All shots were from the back. Atty. Gojol and Danilo France died on the spot. The place of the murder is about 200 meters from the army detachment of the 22nd Infantry Battalion in San Ignacio, Gubat, Sorsogon.

 

Atty. Gojol was a human rights and labor lawyer since the 1990s. He handled almost all the human rights cases in his area, including those of minors who were unjustly imprisoned. He was the Legal Counsel of the Association of Democratic Labor Organizations – Kilusang Mayo Uno (ADLO-KMU), He was also the former President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Sorsogon Chapter. 

 

Our information is that he is the 20th lawyer to be killed by reason of the exercise of the profession or advocacy since Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took power in 2001. More than ten judges have also been brutally murdered during the Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

 

The IAPL has for the longest time scored the Philippine government for these murders and other dastardly attacks on Philippine lawyers especially those who were involved in human rights cases and issues. Aside from strong indications that these political killings in the Philippines are the handiwork of state security forces, it is the responsibility of the Philippine government to protect its citizens in general and its lawyers in particular.

 

The IAPL extends its condolences to the wife, family, friends and colleagues of Atty. Gil Gojol. The IAPL accords Atty. Gil Gojol the highest honor. We will continue our campaign against extra-judicial killings in the Philippines. Atty. Gojol’s commitment and memory, as well as those of other lawyers and judges, will continue to inspire us in our work as people’s lawyers.

 

We shall continue with even greater vigor to bring their cases and causes before the international legal community.

 

The IAPL calls on all lawyers and lawyers’ organizations worldwide to protest to the Philippine government against the killings of lawyers and to protect our Philippine colleagues.

 

Signed by:

 

RAF JESPERS

Secretary General

International Association of People’s Lawyers