SC eyes two-level security in courts

MANILA -- Judges nationwide have been required by the Supreme Court to implement a two-level security checking system in their respective buildings following the shooting incident in the Cebu City Palace of Justice on Tuesday that killed three people including the gunman.

"This way, there will be two levels of security checks – one in the entrance of the building and another in the entrance of the courtroom," said Court Administrator Midas Marquez, adding judges can also reactivate their judicial security groups.

Marquez is currently in Cebu to investigate the incident as he noted lapses in security that allowed Canadian John Pope to bring in a firearm.

According to a report released by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Pope arrived at the Palace of Justice around 8:10 a.m. Tuesday, wearing jogging pants, long white sweat shirt and with a body bag. He was frisked and his bag was inspected by security guard Wilfredo Purola.

Guards at the time of the incident including Purola were already relieved, Marquez said, as he promised that the High Court will seriously look into the matter.

Pope was facing cases at the Municipal Trial Court in Cities branches 1 and 6 when he shot dead a doctor and a private lawyer. A public prosecutor was also injured after being hit by a bullet in the neck. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)