Judges’ group condemns Basilan magistrate’s killing, seeks safety

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Trial Judges League Inc. (PTJLI) has condemned the killing of Basilan Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Joseph M. Wee Sit, calling for an immediate and impartial investigation and stronger security measures for members of the judiciary.

In a statement, the group described the killing as an attack on judicial independence and the administration of justice, stressing that judges must be able to perform their duties without fear of violence or intimidation.

Wee Sit, 38, presiding judge of RTC Branch 2 in Isabela City, Basilan, was shot along Tumaga-Putik Road in Zamboanga City at around 5:25 a.m. on Thursday. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead about an hour later.

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READ: Basilan judge slain in Zambo gun attack

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“An assault against the life of a sitting judge is not merely an assault on an individual; rather, it is a direct, cowardly attack on the independence of the judiciary, the administration of justice, and the very foundations of our democratic society,” the group said. 

“Judges must be able to discharge their constitutional mandate without fear of reprisal, intimidation, or violence,” it added.

PTJLI also called on the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Office of the Judiciary Marshals (OJM) to swiftly track down and prosecute both the gunmen and the masterminds behind the attack.

It also appealed directly to the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to collaborate on strengthening institutional safeguards.

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“We also urge all three branches of the government to immediately review and strengthen existing security protocols for members of the bench, whose lives are constantly under surveillance and threat by lawless elements who seek to subvert our judges’ personal safety and security,” the group said.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Rodil Zalameda echoed the call for protection, confirming that the High Court, through the OJM, is working closely with law enforcement to identify the perpetrators. 

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READ: Supreme Court looking into killing of Basilan RTC judge

While the frequency of killings targeting members of the legal profession declined following a change in administration, fatal attacks persisted.

Monitoring by international and local legal groups—including the Asian Lawyers Network and the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) recorded at least three lawyers killed during the first two years of the Marcos Jr. administration (between July 2022 and early 2024), including Abra-based human rights lawyer Maria Saniata Alzate in September 2023, and the 2025 fatal shooting of Palawan-based lawyer and Philippine Ports Authority official Joshua Lavega Abrina outside his home in Puerto Princesa City.

Wee Sit is the highest-profile death during this period.

By comparison, based on the data compiled by the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), and joint reports submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council recorded more than 50 to 61 lawyers, prosecutors, and judges were killed between July 2016 and early 2021. During that four-year span, the following active judges were killed, Judges Godofredo Abul Jr. (2017), Ricky Begino (2018), Edmundo Pintac (2018), Reymar Lacaya (2019), and Mario Anacleto Bañez (2019).

Colleagues remembered Wee Sit, who was set to turn 39 on November 21, as a jurist of “integrity, courage, good work ethic, and an unbending commitment to the rule of law”. Before joining the bench, he built a career in public service with the Commission on Audit (COA), the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), and the National Prosecution Service (NPS).

The PTJLI extended its condolences to his court staff and family, including his wife, Judge Kar Kausal Kadil Wee Sit, who presides over the Municipal Circuit Trial Court Branch 5 in Bongao-Languyan, Tawi-Tawi.

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“We stand united in demanding justice for Judge Wee Sit and in defending the sanctity and protection of our judges and court personnel,” the league said./dp