NUPL statement on the Murder of Antique Lawyer John Mark Espera

Atty. John Mark Espera. Senseless death
Atty. John Mark Espera. Senseless death


The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) joins its Iloilo Chapter in condemning the senseless murder of an esteemed colleague in the legal profession, Atty. John Mark Espera.

Atty. Ruby Espera, widow of the victim, thanking sympathizers.
Atty. Ruby Espera, widow of the victim, thanking sympathizers.


He was gunned down 11:30 am, yesterday, August 31, in Brgy. Pu-ao, Hamtic town, Antique. The police recovered spent shells from several firearms at the scene of the crime, some 20 meters from the residence of principal suspect Police Officer 3 Jose Suarez assigned at the Tobias Fornier Police Station, Antique. 

NUPL lawyers, from left to right: Atty. Sarah Villamor, Alfonso Cinco IV, and Atty. Edre Olalia. Two others are at the background, Atty. Sol Gamusa (partially covered by Cinco), and Atty. Janne Baterna (partially covered by Olalia).
NUPL lawyers, from left to right: Atty. Sarah Villamor, Alfonso Cinco IV, and Atty. Edre Olalia. Two others are at the background, Atty. Sol Gamusa (partially covered by Cinco), and Atty. Janne Baterna (partially covered by Olalia).


Suarez surrendered but the police is still hunting for his younger brother Rico and a cousin, also suspects in the killings, which based on the number of empty shells recovered at the scene, suggested that they must have ambushed their victim.

Atty. Espera, 39, could have a bright future had not for the attack that snuffed out his young life. He was an allied lawyer and also an active defender of the rights of political detainees.

The killing is a chilling reminder how cheap life is, even that of a lawyer, nowadays and, worse, perpetrated as it is by a police officer who is duty-sworn to protect lives and properties.



Whaterver the ultimate reason and motive to be uncovered for this senseless cold-blooded murder, there are indications that this may be an attack on him by virtue of the exercise of his profession. In any case, this is unacceptable in any cvilized society.

We call on the authorities to throroughly investigate, arrest the culprits and immediately file appropriate criminal charges against them.

We join those calling for justice for Atty. John Mark Espera as well as for all lawyers being attacked.

Reference:

Edre U. OlaliaSecretary General09175113373


Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2013 at 6:26 PM

    Senseless indeed for those who don't know Atty. Espera. A sigh of relief for ordinary people who are constantly afraid that they might accidentally cross his path along the roads of Antique.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Boy Scout Roy B. Babas, in memoriam

Image
By Pet Melliza/The Beekeeper Iloilo Gov.  Arthur D. Defensor (center in light shirt) and Estancia Mayor Rene Cordero (beside the governor) unveil the monument of Scout Roy.  By now, he could have been 53 and, if he married at 20, he would have grandchildren. However, Roy B. Babas, gave up his life at a tender age because of a freak accident 41 years ago, January 24, 1971. He was 12 years old and a grade five pupil. Babas, orphaned of both parents and cared for by his paternal  lolo   eked out a living on weekends and holidays as cargador , carrying luggage of passengers of vessels docking on the wharf of Estancia, Iloilo. Bionat: When I broached the idea to the governor of erecting a monument in honor of Scout Roy, he nodded at once. Scout Roy was his buddy in the Boy Scout. He promised silently beside the latter's bier that he will work it out to have a monument built for him. Defensor: Bravery and helpfullness are among the virtues of Boy Scout
Read more

Kalampay getting scarce and costly

Image
Today a kilo of kalampay fetches P80 to P140, at par with other fishes. This freshwater crab was almost free before. Photo above shows a freshly broiled crab. Kalampay" for sale was almost unheard of 40 years ago. The freshwater crab teemed in Iloilo rivers and people caught it for free. Today, it fetches the minimum P80 per kilo. Surprisingly, Iloilo River, dubbed the country's biggest septic tank after Pasig River, is still home to crabs and shrimps that Ilonggos consume. Mention the word today to the young generation and they would stare at you bewildered. "Kalampay? Ano ra man? (Kalampay? What's that.)" They more they would stare at you blankly if you asked them what "katang" and "baringay" are. The usage of term is getting scarcer like the fate of kalampay. "Katang" is a juvenile kalampay, the size a half thumb while "baringay" are botton size ones that migrate inland from the sea where they are spawned. 
Read more

Broad daylight robbery by Treñas and caboodle

    Mayor Jerry Treñas and his caboodle in the mass disinformation industry are yelping accolades and jumping in glee at nothing but how good, bright and promising the fates of the Iloilo Terminal Market and Iloilo Central Market would be under his watch. Better still, miswatch.      "Public-Private Partnership" kuno; "renovation" kuno, "progress" pa gid, lapdogs in the  mainstream mass disinformation industry oogle.      What they're deliberately hiding is the obvious, that the deal is nothing but a "lease contract", a heavily lopsided one, that hands over for a song two prime real estate properties of Iloilo City taxpayers to SM Holdings, owner of the most number and biggest of malls in the Philippines.      It's neither PPP nor renovation but a broad daylight robbery where Treñas surrenders to SM the ownership of the "Central" and "Super" to SM for 50 years, renewable thereafter at SM's caprice.      By merely c
Read more