LAW professors and students of the Ateneo de Manila University on Monday denounced the killing of a human rights lawyer who was shot outside his house in Surallah town, South Cotabato last week.

In a statement, the Ateneo Law Student Council and the Ateneo Human Rights Center described the killing of Atty. Juan Macababbad as an “affront to the rule of law.”

“The Ateneo Law Student Council and the Ateneo Human Rights Center condemn in the strongest possible terms the cold-blooded and brutal killing of Atty. Juan Macababbad,” the groups said in a joint statement.

“It sends a chilling effect to fellow lawyers, especially those engaged in alternative lawyering, and to the people in the pursuit of their advocacies,” the statement added.

On September 15, Macababbad was opening the gate of his house in Barangay Poblacion at past 5 p.m. when he was shot by unidentified gunmen riding motorcycles.

The groups extended their condolences to the lawyer’s family and demanded justice for Macababbad. They also urged the government to thoroughly investigate the killing and to hold the perpetrators accountable.

“We likewise join the calls for the protection of the members of the legal profession and end the attacks and killings,” they said.