The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers filed a petition before the Supreme Court on Thursday seeking emergency legal protection for a Negros-based attorney and members of a development organization, citing reported surveillance, harassment, and threats linked to military elements and state agents.
The petition asks the Supreme Court to issue writs of amparo and habeas data in favor of NUPL Negros Chairperson Atty. Rey A. Gorgonio and workers from PDG, a development organization for which Gorgonio serves as legal adviser and board trustee. The writs are judicial remedies designed to protect individuals facing threats to their life, liberty, and security, and to compel the disclosure of data being gathered on them.
According to the petition, Gorgonio has been openly red-tagged in communities, including by elements of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, and has been followed and monitored by unidentified individuals in civilian clothing. One PDG development worker allegedly received threats warning him to stop associating with Gorgonio and that he would be “silenced” for being “too brave.” Other co-petitioners from PDG allege they were pressured to serve as military intelligence assets, with threats extending to their family members.
On the same day, NUPL separately wrote to the Chief Justice to raise alarm over the continued endangerment of Atty. Ma. Catherine Dannug-Salucon of Isabela, despite existing court protection. The Court of Appeals granted her petition for amparo and habeas data in 2015, a ruling affirmed by the Supreme Court in 2018. However, NUPL filed an urgent motion before the Court of Appeals reporting that threats to her life and security persist. The filing disclosed that a person claiming to be a police officer assigned to the Burgos Municipal Police Station had been directed to profile her and monitor her activities. NUPL also flagged the absence of any independent and effective investigation, despite repeated court directives.
NUPL warned that threats against lawyers undermine due process, weaken the independence of the legal profession, and erode public trust in the justice system. The group cited United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, which affirm that lawyers must be free to represent clients without intimidation or harassment, and must not be identified with their clients’ causes.
The group called on the Supreme Court to convene a dialogue on protective mechanisms for lawyers under threat, issue guidance on red-tagging in court proceedings, and establish clear protocols for responding to credible threats against counsel. (Rights Report Philippines)