The Integrated Bar of the Philippines Negros Oriental chapter approved a resolution expressing their shock and indignation against persons responsible for the brutal killing of lawyer Ramon Eduardo Elesteria in Bayawan City Tuesday.

Resolution No. 2015-07 of the IBP Negros Oriental chapter, headed by Cyrus Riconalla, reiterates its vehement condemnation to the brutal, dastardly and cowardly acts of shooting and killing members of the legal profession, the latest of whom was Elesteria. Such acts have no proper place in the Philippine society, especially in Negros Oriental, it added.

Unsolved killings of lawyers included that of Judge Orlando Velasco in 2007, Eleazar Casipong, Archer Baldwin Martinez and Manolo Zerna. Three of the lawyers were killed in Bayawan City, one in Dumaguete, and one in Tanjay City.

The resolution said lawyers represent a system of securing due process to every individual, a profession that intends to eradicate violence and serve the ends of justice. “Thus, it is horrific that some of us become victims of violence.”

The local IBP is urging the Philippine National Police in the province, headed by Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos, the Bayawan City police, led by Supt. Dominiciano Distrito Jr., and concerned agencies of government to investigate these crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice. It also calls on the public to cooperate in the investigation, stating that any information given will be crucial in stopping such vicious acts.

The IBP Negros Oriental chapter will also hold an indignation march and rally, 5 p.m. on October 6, from the Hall of Justice in Piapi to the Aquino Freedom Park in Dumaguete City.

Meanwhile, the police said that based on initial investigations, Elesteria's killing was planned and executed by two suspects who are in their 20s, using 45 and 9 mm caliber pistols.

Distrito said the two suspects were seen in the vicinity of the Hall of Justice before the incident, and he called on witnesses to come out in the open.

The suspects did not cover their faces, were wearing maong and khaki pants, of medium build, and walked away from the crime scene on foot going to the highland.

Regional Trial Court Branch 30 Judge Crescencio Tan Jr. said Elesteria was very professional, and appeared as counsel for drug suspects, even when he was still the head of the Public Attorneys' Office.

Elesteria was soft-spoken and never had a heated argument with any prosecutor in his sala, Tan said, adding he saw no reason for the 68 year-old lawyer, who was handling swertres and drugs cases in Dumaguete, to be killed.

Tan said, “We are all worried and concerned about our own security, and we are again exercising extra efforts in security while the executive judge has given instructions to tighten security at the Hall of Justice in Dumaguete, and that we should be careful in our movements.”

At present, no one is allowed entry to the Hall of Justice without proper identification and purpose.*JG

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