The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila condemned the attacks and “atrocious” killings of lawyers, judges, and legal practitioners.

“Violence directed towards lawyers puts in peril the rule of law in the Philippines and empowers even greater impunity,” PLM said in a statement.

The university lauded the efforts of the Supreme Court to protect judges and lawyers and to deliver justice to those who have died in the line of duty.

According to the Free Legal Assistance Group, 100 lawyers have been slain in the past 20 years, and 61 of them were killed in the past four years.

“Such a trend is appalling as this impairs legal representation and dispensation of justice. There is a chilling effect that leads to hesitancy in handling supposedly sensitive cases,” the PLM said.

“Mindful of its mandate, PLM as an institute of learning will remain steadfast in its resolve to advocate the role of education in the promotion of the rule of law and culture of lawfulness,” it added.

University President Emmanuel Leyco, Board of Regents Chairman Dr. Francisco Roman, Regent and College of Law Dean Atty. George Erwin Garcia, and Graduate School of Law Dean and retired Justice Hector Hofileña signed the statement of support dated March 26.