MANILA, Philippines (7th UPDATE) – The past 4 years under President Rodrigo Duterte have been considered by various groups as one of the most bloody periods in recent years.

Lawyers and other members of the judiciary are not spared from the culture of impunity. They get murdered as they face threats in relation to their work.

As of December 2021, at least 66 judges, prosecutors, and lawyers have been killed since July 2016.

Below is a list of the victims and the circumstances of their murder, based on reports from the Supreme Court, Department of Justice, Free Legal Assistance Group, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), and other news reports collated by Rappler.

Click a year below to go directly to it.

2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020

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2016

1. Lawyer Rogelio Bato Jr – August 2016 

Rogelio Bato Jr was killed by unidentified gunmen in Tacloban City, Leyte, on August 23, 2016. He was the lawyer of then-mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr of Albuera, Leyte, and the mayor’s son Kerwin Espinosa, who were accused of being drug personalities.

2. Lawyer Allen Evasan – August 2016 

Allen Evasan was shot dead outside his office in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, on August 23, 2016, according to a SunStar report.

3. Lawyer Melver Tolentino – September 2016  

Melver Tolentino was killed by unidentified men onboard a motorcycle at a gasoline station on September 15, 2016, in Magsingcal, Ilocos Sur, according to an ABS-CBN report.

4. Prosecutor Rolando Acido – October 2016 

Rolando Acido was gunned down by two men onboard a motorcycle on October 26, 2016, while on his way to the Mati City Hall of Justice in Davao Oriental. 

5. Lawyer Honorato Mazo – October 2016

Honorato Mazo, a Public Attorney’s Office senior provincial lawyer, was killed in his backyard on October 7, 2016, in Matalam, North Cotabato, according to a Philippine Star report.

6. Lawyer Jemar Apada – December 2016  

Jemar Apada was killed by a police officer in Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya, on December 1, 2016. The suspect, Police Officer 1 Clifford Dulnuan, shot Apada at the boarding house of the victim’s wife who was also a cop. 

7. Lawyer Arlan Castañeda – December 2016

Arlan Castañeda and his bodyguard were killed while attending Simbang Gabi (Christmas dawn mass) in San Pablo, Isabela, on December 20, 2016. Castañeda was a former town councilor who served for 9 years. 

8. Lawyer Goering Paderanga Sr – December 2016
9. Lawyer Gerik Paderanga – December 2016

Father and son Goering Paderanga Sr and Gerik Paderanga were shot during an altercation with a security guard in Cebu City on December 22, 2016, the Freeman reported. The elder Paderanga was killed on the spot, while his son died 3 days later. 

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2017

10. Prosecutor Johanne Noel Mingoa – January 2017

Quezon City prosecutor Noel Mingoa was killed by unidentified gunmen in Old Balara, Commonwealth Avenue, on January 11, 2018, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported. 

11. Retired judge Victor Canoy – February 2017

Victor Canoy was shot dead while on his way to an eatery on February 2, 2017, in Surigao City, SunStar reported. He was a retired judge of Surigao City Regional Trial Court Branch 29.

12. Lawyer Mia Mascariñas Green – February 2017

Environmental lawyer Mia Mascariñas Green was ambushed by 4 unidentified men in Bohol on February 15, 2017. The alleged mastermind, Lloyd Lancer Gonzaga, was arrested in July the same year, according to a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.  

13. Prosecutor Diosdado Azarcon – May 2017

Caloocan assistant prosecutor Diosdado Azarcon was gunned down by motorcycle-riding men outside his house while on his way to work on May 22, 2017.  

14. Lawyer Elmer Mitra Jr – June 2017 

Elmer Mitra Jr was killed inside a moving vehicle on June 1, 2017. Jessie Carlos, the gunman behind the Resorts World Manila attack, was the “main person of interest” in the killing of the lawyer.  

15. Lawyer Dolores Yumol – June 2017

Dolores Yumol, a lawyer and Bacoor City registrar, and her husband Felipe were ambushed by unidentified gunmen while on their way home in Las Piñas City on June 6, 2017. 

16. Prosecutor Maria Ronatay – July 2017

Assistant prosecutor Maria Ronatay was killed when unidentified men opened fire at her car while she was on her way home on July 18, 2017, in Taytay, Rizal, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.  

17. Judge Godofredo Abul Jr – August 2017

Butuan City judge Godofredo Abul Jr was killed when unidentified men fired at his vehicle on August 5, 2017, SunStar Cagayan de Oro reported.

18. Lawyer Hermie Aban – August 2017

Hermie Aban was killed by a gunman on August 15, 2017, in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. He was the lawyer of former Palawan governor Joel Reyes, who is facing murder charges over the 2011 death of environmentalist and broadcast journalist Gerry Ortega.

19. Former prosecutor Pablito Gahol – September 2017

Former prosecutor and barangay chairperson Pablito Gahol was shot dead while on his way home from church in Mandaluyong City on September 3, 2017. According to a Philippine Daily Inquirer report, he was shot several times by unidentified men.

20. Prosecutor Reymund Luna – September 2017

Quezon assistant provincial prosecutor Reymund Luna was gunned down by motorcycle-riding men on September 29, 2017, in Infanta.

21. Lawyer Expectacion Baldeo – December 2017

Lawyer Expectacion Baldeo, also a Social Security System employee, was killed on December 3, 2017, while manning her gasoline station in Tiaong, Quezon. Her husband, former Quezon board member Regore Baldeo, was also killed in 2010.  

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2018

22. Lawyer Jonah John Ungab – February 2018

Jonah John Ungab, also vice mayor of Ronda, Cebu, was killed when unidentified gunmen opened fire at his vehicle on February 19, 2018, along S Osmeña Street, Cebu City. He was the lawyer of suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa.

23. Lawyer Henry Joseph Herrera – April 2018

Henry Joseph Herrera was killed on April 22, 2018, when the vehicle he was riding with his family was ambushed by unidentified gunmen in Atimonan, Quezon. 

24. Lawyer Ramy Tagnong – May 2018

Superintendent Ramy Tagnong, chief of the Calabarzon police legal affairs office, was killed on May 4, 2018, after being ambushed while onboard his vehicle with his partner in Antipolo City, according to a SunStar report.  

25. Prosecutor Rogelio Velasco – May 2018

Deputy city prosecutor and chief inquest Rogelio Velasco of Quezon City was killed after being ambushed while onboard his red Toyota Innova at Don Antonio Heights on May 11, 2018. The Department of Justice has started a preliminary investigation into the killing where 3 policemen are accused of murder.

26. Retired prosecutor Geronimo Marabe Jr – May 2018

Geronimo Marabe Jr was killed by unidentified riding-in-tandem men on May 22, 2018, in Ozamiz City. He served as public prosecutor for several cases involving the Parojinog family. (READ: The Parojinogs and the tangled webs they wove)  

27. Prosecutor Madonna Joy Ednaco Tanyag – June 2018

Madonna Joy Ednaco Tanyag, assistant special prosecutor at the Office of the Ombudsman, was stabbed in front of a lottery outlet along Visayas Avenue in Quezon City on June 4, 2018. Tanyag, who was 5 months pregnant, was declared dead at the East Avenue Medical Center.

Arrested suspect Angelito Avenido said the killing was just an “accident.” More than a month after his arrest, Avenido was killed after allegedly trying to snatch the gun of his police escort in July 2018 at Camp Karingal. 

28. Judge Ricky Begino – June 2018 

Judge Ricky Begino of the Metropolitan Circuit Trial Court of San Jose-Lagonoy, Camarines Sur, was killed on June 12, 2018, while on his way home. A suspect, Wilfredo Armea, was arrested the following day. 

29. Lawyer Joey Galit – June 2018  

Joey Galit and his wife were ambushed inside their subdivision on June 21, 2018. He and a security guard who responded to the incident died, according to a Philippine Daily Inquirer report.

30. Lawyer Salvador Solima – July 2018

Lawyer Salvador Solima was killed when unidentified gunmen barged into his home in Cebu City on July 2, 2018. He was a former assistant city prosecutor, but was dismissed for gross misconduct and grave abuse of authority.

31. Lawyer Rafael Atutubo – August 2018

Rafael Atutubo was gunned down by unidentified men wearing bonnets outside his home in Bacolod City on August 23, 2018.

32. Lawyer Connie Villamor – September 2018

Connie Villamor was killed by unidentified gunmen while onboard her vehicle in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, on September 24, 2018. The police are looking into a personal grudge as the possible motive behind the killing. 

33. Lawyer Edeljulio Romero – September 2018

Edeljulio Romero was gunned down on September 28, 2018, in Barangay Culasi in Roxas City, Capiz. He was the lawyer of Melvin Odicta, the alleged top Iloilo drug lord who was slain in August 2016.  

34. Judge Edmundo Pintac – October 2018

Ozamiz City judge Edmundo Pintac was shot dead by motorcyle-riding suspects on October 8, 2018, in Barangay Banadero in Ozamiz City. As executive judge of the city’s Regional Trial Court Branch 15, Pintac handled the drug and firearms cases against Nova Princess and Reynaldo Parojinog Jr.

Local police told Rappler that the Parojinog siblings are now persons of interest in the killing of Pintac. 

35. Lawyer Benjamin Ramos – November 2018

Benjamin Ramos, the secretary-general of the Negros Occidental arm of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, was shot dead by riding-in-tandem assailants on November 6, 2018, in Kabankalan City.

A known human rights defender, Ramos represented political prisoners, farmers, and other members of marginalized sectors in his career as a pro-bono lawyer.

2019

36. Former assistant prosecutor Mary Ann Castro – January 2019

Former Cebu City assistant prosecutor Mary Ann Castro was ambushed by a motorcycle-riding gunman while on her way to the provincial capitol area from the Cebu Business Park on January 17, 2019. Initial investigation showed that she was shot 5 times.

37. Lawyer Rex Jasper Lopoz – March 2019

Lawyer Rex Jasper Lopoz was gunned down in front of a shopping mall in Tagum City on March 13, 2019. According to investigators, the bullet that took his life was fired by a sniper positioned several meters away. 

38. Judge Reymar Lacaya – May 2019

Judge Reymar Lacaya of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte, was shot dead in the town on May 9, 2019. The Supreme Court said he is the 30th judge to be killed while in service since 1999. 

39. Lawyer Adilberto Golla Jr – May 2019

Lawyer Adilberto Golla Jr was killed while he was on his way to work on May 17, 2019, in Rodriguez, Rizal. He was the legal counsel of 10 policemen included in the dozens tagged in the Maguindanao massacre. 

40. Lawyer Val Crisostomo – May 2019

Lawyer Val Crisostomo was gunned down by an unidentified man on a motorcycle in front of the Hall of Justice in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, on May 17, 2019.

41. Lawyer Anthony Trinidad – July 2019

Lawyer Anthony Trinidad was gunned down on July 23, 2019 by riding-in-tandem gunmen in Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental. He and his wife, Novie Marie, were on their way home from a court hearing. 

42. Lawyer Irineo Cabugoy – September 2019

Lawyer Irineo Cabugoy was shot in the head in front of his family inside a fast-food restaurant by unidentified gunmen on September 5 in Antipolo, Rizal.

43. Former Siargao Municipal Trial Court judge Exequil Dagala – November 2019

Former Siargao MTC judge Exequil Dagala was killed inside his home in Surigao del Norte on November 1, 2019. Authorities said he was sleeping when 3 gunmen entered his room around 11 pm in Del Carmen town in Siargao Island. 

44. Judge Mario Anacleto Bañez – November 2019

Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, Judge Mario Anacleto Bañez was killed by unidentified gunmen on November 5 while on board his vehicle in Barangay Mameltac, San Fernando, La Union. In September, Judge Bañez acquitted Cordillera health worker Rachel Mariano of murder, after being accused by the army of masterminding an ambush of members of the 81st Infantry Battallion in 2017. 

2020

45. Former congressman and lawyer Edgar Mendoza – January 2020

Former Batangas congressman and lawyer Edgar Mendoza was declared dead on January 9 after his remains were found inside a burnt vehicle in Tiaong, Quezon, together with the bodies of his driver Ruel Ruiz and aide Nicanor Mendoza. Authorities alleged that two inmates at the New Bilibid Prison, who were Mendoza’s clients in his law practice, conspired to kill him.

46. Lawyer Raymond Moncada – January 2020

Lawyer Raymond Moncada was attacked by unidentified men in front of his home in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, on January 3. He died on January 13.

47. Lawyer Anselmo Carlos – January 2020

Lawyer Anselmo Carlos and his driver Marcial Mendoza were gunned down by unidentified men on January 28, 2020, in front of the San Vicente Parish Church in Sta Rita, Pampanga.

48. Bureau of Corrections Legal Division Chief Fredric Santos – February 2020

BuCor’s top lawyer Fredric Santos was gunned down by two unidentified men on February 19, 2020, infront of his daughter’s school in Muntinlupa City. He was declared dead on the spot after sustaining gunshot wounds in the head.

49.  Lawyer Bayani Dalangin – February 2020

Lawyer Bayani Dalangin was shot dead in front of his office in Talavera town in Nueva Ecija on February 28, 2020. According to a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, motorcycle-riding gunmen killed Dalangin in front of his clients.

50. Prosecutor Jovencio Senados – July 2020

Manila’s chief inquest prosecutor Jovencio Senados was gunned down along Quirino Highway on July 7, 2020. Authorities said the 62-year-old was in his car when he was attacked.

51. Lawyer Raymond Moncada – January 2020

Lawyer Raymond Moncada was attacked by unidentified men in front of his home in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, on January 3. He died on January 13.

52. Lawyer Anselmo Carlos – January 2020

Lawyer Anselmo Carlos and his driver Marcial Mendoza were gunned down by unidentified men on January 28, 2020, in front of the San Vicente Parish Church in Sta Rita, Pampanga.

53. Bureau of Corrections Legal Division Chief Fredric Santos – February 2020

BuCor’s top lawyer Fredric Santos was gunned down by two unidentified men on February 19, 2020, infront of his daughter’s school in Muntinlupa City. He was declared dead on the spot after sustaining gunshot wounds in the head.

54. Lawyer Bayani Dalangin – February 2020

Lawyer Bayani Dalangin was shot dead in front of his office in Talavera town in Nueva Ecija on February 28, 2020. According to a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, motorcycle-riding gunmen killed Dalangin in front of his clients.

55. Prosecutor Jovencio Senados – July 2020

Manila’s chief inquest prosecutor Jovencio Senados was gunned down along Quirino Highway on July 7, 2020. Authorities said the 62-year-old was in his car when he was attacked.

56. Retired Court of Appeals justice Normandie Pizarro – October 2020

Normandie Pizarro was last seen at a casino in Clark on October 23 and his car was later found in San Simon, Pampanga. His body was found in Capas, Tarlac, on October 30. He was confirmed dead on Monday, December 21 by the National Bureau of Investigation.

Pizarro retired in February 2018, a year ahead of his mandatory retirement. He left with a controversial acquittal of former Palawan governor Joel Reyes in the Gerry Ortega murder case. The acquittal has since been reversed.

Pizarro penned the ruling in May 2017 that  acquitted alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles of serious illegal detention charges. 

Pizarro also wrote the ruling that nullified a Hawaii court decision which had granted $2 billion worth of damages to Martial Law victims.

57. Judge Ma Theresa Abadilla – November 2020

Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 45 Judge Ma Theresa Abadilla was shot by her clerk of court on November 11, 2020 while inside her own chamber in the Manila City Hall. She was rushed to the Manila Medical Center where doctors declared her “dead on arrival at 3:15 pm.”

Cops from the Manila Police District say that the suspect, lawyer Amador Rebato, shot himself. He was found dead on the spot.

58. Lawyer Eric Jay Magcamit – November 2020

Eric Jay Magcamit was shot and killed in broad daylight on his way to a hearing in Quezon, Palawan, on November 17, 2020. A spot report says two unidentified men flagged Magcamit, and shot the 35-year-old lawyer when he stepped out of his vehicle. 

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines Palawan chapter said Magcamit’s “senseless death is a great loss to the community he had perseveringly served since his admission to the bar, and most especially to use, his brethren in the legal profession.”

Magcamit obtained his law degree from the Palawan State University in 2009 and an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science in 2005.

59. Lawyer Joey Luis Wee – November 2020

Joey Luis Wee was gunned down by two unidentified men while walking up the stairs to his office in Cebu City on November 23, 2020.

A graduate of San Beda College of Law, the 51-year-old lawyer handled cases involving elected and appointed officials.

60. Lawyer Baby Maria Concepcion Landero-Ole – December 2020

Baby Maria Concepcion Landero-Ole was gunned down on December 17, 2020 by unidentified men while driving her pick-up truck along a Danao City highway in Cebu.

61. Lawyer Winston Intong – January 2021

Lawyer Winston Intong was gunned down near his house in Malaybalay, Bukidnon on January 14, 2021.

62. Deputy prosecutor Victor Begtang Jr – June 2021

Ilagan City, Isabela deputy prosecutor Victor Begtang Jr was killed by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen on June 23, 2021 in Apayao.

According to a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Begtang riding his car and was already near his house when he was shot dead.

63. Lawyer Sitti Gilda Mahinay-Sapie – July 2021

Lawyer Gilda Mahinay-Sapie and her husband Muhaimen Mohammad Sapie were shot dead outside their home in Davao City on July 14, 2021.

64. Lawyer Rex Fernandez – August 2021

Lawyer Rex Fernandez was gunned down by unidentified men in Cebu City on August 26, 2021.

Hernandez was a founding member of the Nationa Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) and served as counsel for rights group Karapatan for many years, according to NUPL president Edre Olalia.

65. Lawyer Juan Macababbad – September 2021

Public interest lawyer Juan Macababbad was shot dead outside his home in Surallah town, South Cotabato, on September 15, 2021.

66. Assistant prosecutor Edilberto Mendoza – December 2021

Assistant City Prosecutor Edilberto Mendoza from Trece Martires, Cavite was gunned down in front of his home on December 31, 2022. An unidentified gunman shot him in the head at close range while he was exercising.

He was a member of the red-tagged National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers and the chairman of the Soccsksargen chapter of the Union of People’s Lawyers in Mindanao. – Rappler.com