Judge gets death threats

Saturday, February 11, 2012

FOR allegedly denying an inmate to post bail, Regional Trial Court Branch 14 Judge Raphael Yrastorza Sr. received a death threat.

In a report over GMA 7’s Balitang Bisdak, Yrastorza said the letter came from a certain Ka Jerry, who claimed he was a member of the New People’s Army (NPA). It was not clear though what case Yrastorza was referring to.

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The letter disclosed that the judge was unfair after he denied a motion of reconsideration for an inmate.

Yrastorza said he doesn’t take any sides.

“Ginoo ra akong kahadlukan. Wala’y lain (I only fear God. No one else),” the judge said.

The letter also gave Yrastorza a time frame of one year to change his behavior.

The judge’s court staff felt intimidated but admitted it was part of the job.

Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, head of Cebu City Police Office Intelligence Branch, told Sun.Star Cebu the judge has not yet asked for their security assistance.

“We will look into it. We will investigate the person who sent that letter,” he said.