THE Supreme Court recently approved the guidelines governing
the handgun acquisition program for judges of lower courts who are at the
receiving end of death threats in the line of duty.
In a four-page en banc resolution promulgated during its
session in Baguio City, the high court found merit in the March 24 memorandum of
Deputy Court Administrator Reuben dela Cruz, as approved by the committee on
security.
The committee, chaired by Associate Justice Presbitero J.
Velasco Jr., is also in the process of completing the SC Security Manual.
The court has allotted P10 million for the program.
Under the proposed guidelines, judges will be given an
interest-free handgun loan of P50,000 with a repayment scheme of not more than
36 monthly installments. To qualify for the loan, judges must not be more than
67 years old on the date of the application; not under preventive suspension
from office; have a minimum 30 days leave credits; have met the minimum of
P3,000 net take-home pay as required by the General Appropriations Act, and have
at least three qualified co-makers.
Right after he assumed office, Chief Justice Reynato Puno
called for the arming of the judges for their own protection and security. In
August 2007, he issued Memorandum Circular No. 10-2007 providing for an interim
security procedure to improve security for justices and judges pending the
issuance of a comprehensive security protocol for the lower courts.
The new security protocol designates two contact persons –
DCA dela Cruz and NBI’s Task Force for Judiciary Protection liaison officer
Atty. Allan Contado – whom all justices and judges should immediately contact in
case of threats to their security or safety. Fifteen judges have already been
killed since 1999.
The new protocols were based on the recommendations of the
Committee on Security of the Judiciary in response to the recent spate of
violence and killings, especially against judges in the lower courts who are
constantly exposed to violent attacks.
Last month, the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) also
held a Personal Security Training for Judges’ seminar consisting of lectures on
Crime Prevention & Basic First Aid, Technical Facts Regarding Firearms and
Ammunition, Threat Awareness & Personal Security Measures, and Firearms
Orientation, Markmanship, and Technical Proficiency Training.
In 2005, the Court approved the Guidelines for Detail of
Court Personnel as Security of Judges. The Guidelines cover all Regional Trial
Courts, Shari’a District Courts, Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial
Courts in Cities, Municipal Circuit Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and
Shari a Circuit Courts.
Judges under threat are expected to apply with the PNP for
protective security. If his request is denied, he may apply with the Court’s
Security Committee for an escort.
The Court, through the Office of the Court Administrator, also signed a
formal agreement with the PNP in 2005 that gives judges permits to carry
licensed firearms outside their stations. – Evangeline C. de Vera
