Judges fear thinning of ranks from slays

A national group of judges warned yesterday about their "much feared diminution amid increasing number of senseless killings of judges, worsened by their inadequate and competitive pay scales."

The Philippine Judges Association (PJA), the national organization of all the Regional Trial Court (RTC) judges throughout the country through its president, Manila Branch; 22 RTC Presiding Judge Marino dela Cruz Jr., issued the warning during the interment of RTC Judge Oscar Uso of Tayug, Pangasinan at the Eternal Gardens in Dagupan City.

The association has strongly condemned the summary executions of judges, saying "in a short period of less that one year, three judges in active service have fallen victims in ambush slaying in their respective stations."

The latest victim, Judge Uson of the RTC in Taguig, Pangasinan, was ambushed while on his way home from work last Sept. 27.

The two other judges who were similarly killed treacherously were Judge Eugenio Valies of the RTC in Nabunturan, Davao del Norte and Judge Ariston rubio of the RTC in Batac, Ilocos Norte.

Dela Cruz said: "The judges do not fear death while in the performance of their duties, but it is the effect of such assaults upon their persons that worry them greatly because of the impact that these killings create on civil order and stability of society."