THE Ateneo Legal Aid Services Office (Alaso) and the Ateneo Public Interest and Legal Advocacy (Apila) Center strongly condemned the killing of Rudolph Dela Cruz Espe and Rico Gonzaga Malubay, two grassroots paralegals and respected community leaders in Banaybanay, Davao Oriental.
In a joint statement released July 27, 2025, Alaso and Apila said Espe and Malubay were not nameless victims.
"They were defenders of life, land, and dignity. They were organizers, educators, fathers, and barefoot lawyers of the people," the statement read.
Known for their tireless service, both had long stood up to threats and intimidation while guiding their community through difficult times.
“In a time when truth-telling and courage come at a cost, Rudolph and Rico stood firm for their community. They chose the harder path — the path of service, of conscience, of defending the poor and the powerless,” they said.
The groups called on law enforcement to thoroughly investigate the case and hold the perpetrators accountable. They also urged the Commission on Human Rights to take swift action and encouraged the public to speak out.
“This is not normal — and must never be normalized,” they emphasized.
As trained paralegals, Espe and Malubay believed in justice and community dignity. Despite facing powerful interests, they worked to create a better Puntalinao.
Espe had once envisioned building a peace viewing deck, not just a scenic attraction, but a powerful symbol of how Banaybanay could thrive through ecotourism, organic farming, and community-led development, instead of destructive mining.
“It is maddening — and heartbreaking — that those who dream for others are often the first to be taken away,” the group said.
Alaso and Apila underscored that the blood of Espe and Malubay does not cry for vengeance, but for justice — justice born not from silence or fear, but from solidarity.
They mourned alongside the families of Espe and Gonzaga and urged the people of Banaybanay to stay strong. They also encouraged all barefoot lawyers in the Philippines to carry on the work the two began. RGP