THE UNION of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) strongly condemns the Monday evening shooting in General Santos City of our former paralegal, Warren Cahayag.
Davao City – The Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) strongly condemns the Monday evening shooting in General Santos City of our former paralegal, Warren Cahayag.
Cahayag, one of UPLM’s founding paralegal members in 2005, sustained five gunshot wounds after being attacked by riding-in-tandem assailants in Barangay Calumpang, General Santos City. He is currently under observation.
This act of violence occurred against a backdrop of relentless attacks against activists, lawyers–human rights defenders–both in the region and nationwide. These systematic assaults aim to create a chilling effect–sowing fear, silencing dissent, and paralyzing the vital work of those who serve the marginalized. They are designed to leave defenders exposed and vulnerable to attacks, fostering a dangerous climate of impunity.
Barely a month ago, on 23 June 2025, Ali Macalintal, a former human rights defender and also a former UPLM paralegal, was killed inside her spa in General Santos City.
We also remember our fallen fellow UPLM lawyer, Atty. Juan Macababbad, who was shot outside his house in Surallah, South Cotabato, on 15 September 2021. His case remains unresolved to date.
We call on the Marcos, Jr. administration to put an end to this senseless violence. His deliberate failure to acknowledge the continuing human rights violations in his fourth State of the Nation Address betrays a lack of serious commitment to human rights, sanctity of life, and the rule of law and justice.
We also call on the PNP, particularly Chief Nicolas Torre III, who hails from South Cotabato himself, to form a dedicated and credible special investigation task force to probe these attacks and ensure that not only the gunmen but also the masterminds are held accountable.
The families of the victims and the public deserve no less than this.
Stop the attacks! End impunity now!
References:
Atty. Antonio C. Azarcon UPLM Chair (Contact: +639199124767)
Atty. Arvin Dexter M. Lopoz UPLM Public Information Officer and Spokesperson (Contact: +639260583543)
