WITH GUN BAN IN PLACE: Judges request for additional security at Palace of Justice

CEBU, Philippines - Because of the election gun ban that took effect last week, Regional Trial Court judges in Cebu City are requesting the police to provide them personnel who can secure and patrol the Palace of Justice.

The request was signed by Executive Judge Meinrado Paredes and Judges Geraldine Faith Econg and Macaundas Hadjirasul, chairman and vice-chairman of the Judicial Security Group. “Because judges are not exempted for the Comelec gun ban and with the security of all judges and court personnel in mind, we request that such number of PNP personnel, to be determined by your office, be detailed to secure and patrol the hallways of the Palace of Justice and its premises as there are several trials involving detention prisoners from Monday to Friday of each week,” read the letter request addressed to Cebu City Police Director Patrocinio Comendador.In their request, the judges cited Supreme Court Memorandum Order No. 42-2007, which states that “during trials of detention prisoners, the Executive Judge shall request the PNP to assign or detail at least two uniformed policemen to secure and patrol the hallways of the HOJs and court houses and their premises.”

In an interview with reporters, Econg said the move is a precautionary measure because aside from the fact that judges are not exempted from the gun ban, judges have since observed and Palace of Justice security personnel have since complained that law enforcers have disregarded the wearing of identification cards in the court premises.

The judges also asked Comendador, Provincial Police Director Erson Digal, Police Regional Director Lani-o Nerez, and National Bureau of Investigation Regional Director Medardo De Lemos to direct their men to wear their ID’s within court premises. — Fred P. Languido/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)