Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Eon Sanchez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783647172293viber_image_2026-07-10_09-19-42-222.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Friday convened a national security summit aimed at addressing security threats faced by lawyers, judges, and court personnel.</p><p>Dubbed “United for Safety,” the one-day summit was held at the Manila Hotel, bringing together members of the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, cybersecurity authorities, and the organized Bar to discuss measures to strengthen the protection of the legal profession.</p><p>IBP National President and Chairperson of the 27th Board of Governors Allan Panolong said the summit was organized in response to persistent threats against legal practitioners.</p><p>“Our unyielding duty is to the Constitution, to our clients, and to the rule of law. Yet, simply for doing our jobs, simply standing in the crosshairs of disputes to ensure that the scales of justice remain balanced, we become the targets of syndicates and lawless elements who believe that the truth can be silenced by a bullet,” Panolong said.</p><p>He described the gathering as “not just a forum” but “a necessary intervention.”</p><p>“We cannot discuss the future of the legal profession without confronting the graves of our fallen comrades,” he said.</p><p>“We must speak of the lawyers, prosecutors, and judges, who were brutally gunned down, ambushed in their vehicles, shot in broad daylight,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/03/24/21/ibp-welcomes-supreme-courts-condemnation-of-killings-threats-vs-lawyers-judges">IBP welcomes Supreme Court&#x27;s condemnation of killings, threats vs lawyers, judges </a></div><p>Supreme Court Associate Justice Raul Villanueva, who delivered the keynote address, acknowledged the risks associated with the practice of law.</p><p>“Threats to the security of lawyers are collateral hazards in the practice of the profession. With the adversarial nature, mostly of judicial proceedings, or in most activities, in the practice of law, it is not uncommon that a disgruntled litigant or party will extend his or her outrage to the lawyers who advocated for the opposing party’s cause,” Villanueva said.</p><p>“This is a brutal or grim fact that we have to acknowledge,” he added.</p><p>Villanueva also told participants, “Kahit marami po tayong kinakaharap ngayon, these are very exciting times. Sana ay palagi tayong nasa maayos na kalagayan.”</p><p>The summit featured four plenary sessions focusing on cybersecurity threats, the protection of lawyers, judges, justices, and court personnel, security protocols, and the defense of human rights lawyers.</p><p>Participating agencies and organizations included the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the Office of the Judiciary Marshals of the Supreme Court, the Philippine National Police, the National Police Commission, and the National Union of People’s Lawyers.</p><p>The program is set to conclude with a collective pledge to the Manifesto of Unity for the Security and Independence of the Legal Profession, which seeks to formalize the commitments made during the summit and strengthen institutional and inter-agency efforts to safeguard members of the legal profession.</p><div><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div><div><strong>RELATED STORIES:</strong></div><div><strong></strong><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/4/ibp-12-person-senate-session-was-lawful-and-valid-1850">IBP: 12-person Senate session was lawful and valid </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/17/napolcom-pnp-ibp-seal-partnership-to-strengthen-police-legal-education-1628">Napolcom, PNP, IBP team up to strengthen police legal education </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/08/29/21/ibp-cautions-against-entities-offering-speedy-justice">IBP cautions public against entities offering &#x27;speedy justice&#x27; </a><strong></strong></div>

<p>The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Friday convened a national security summit aimed at addressing security threats faced by lawyers, judges, and court personnel.</p>

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Friday convened a national security summit aimed at addressing security threats faced by lawyers, judges, and court personnel.

'Not just a forum': IBP holds security summit to address threats against legal profession

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

'Not just a forum': IBP holds security summit to address threats against legal profession

Eon Sanchez,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 10, 2026 09:36 AM PHT

Read More:

Integrated Bar of the Philippines

Lawyers

Security Summit

judges

court

IBP

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.