|
Saturday, September 18, 2004
SC shuts down courts for heinous crimes nationwide
THE Supreme Court (SC) has resolved to close all heinous crimes courts, including the ones here in Cebu, to put a stop to the killing of judges in some parts of Luzon and Eastern Visayas.
According to the High Tribunal’s press office, the self-protection measure includes providing personal security protection training for all local judges with the support of the National Bureau of Investigation and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The High Court had previously approved the grant of permanent total disability benefits to the heirs of judges who die in the service.
“The recent violent deaths of members of the judiciary underscore the perils that needlessly hound those who have sworn to administer and dispense justice. The deaths strike fear in the incumbent officials, thereby affecting their effectiveness and efficiency,” the SC said.
Seven heinous court judges in Luzon have been killed in a span of five years.
“The current setup makes a heinous crime court judge easily identifiable, making him/her an easy prey to vindictive litigants,” the High Tribunal said in Administrative Matter 04-6-18-SC that Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. signed last Aug. 24.
With the High Court’s move, all criminal cases currently docketed with a heinous crimes court will be raffled off to all regular courts.
Though downgraded, heinous crimes court will keep its share of heinous cases but will also receive one regular criminal case for every heinous crime it unloads.
The Supreme Court does not anticipate any problems because heinous crimes courts have relatively low caseloads.
“Judges who are facing imminent threats on their lives (are) hereby authorized to designate, as escort, one member of their staff,” the High Tribunal said, adding the chosen staff member may also participate in the orientation field seminars on personal security protection.
Moreover, a judge facing a direct threat on his life may report to the Philippine National Police, which shall in turn “immediately provide him with a police escort.”
The PNP has committed to grant requests from judges for permission to carry their firearms outside their residence. Section 881 of the Revised Administrative Code provides that judges are among those persons not required to secure permits to carry firearms outside their residence.
Cebu judges haven’t been spared from such attacks, though incidents are more the exception rather than the rule.
Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Leopoldo Cañete was slightly injured on his right knee when an unidentified man shot at him while he took his daughter to school last July 22, 2003. The girl was unhurt.
A month after, a fragmentation grenade was found inside his garage.
RTC Judge Olegario Sarmeinto has also reportedly received threats in relation to his conviction of a former policeman.
Last Aug. 9, Judge Milnar T. Lammawin, 51, of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 25, Tabuk, Kalinga died from nine gunshot wounds after two unidentified men shot him in front of a bakeshop in Tabuk.
Judge Lammawin is the seventh judge killed in the past five years.
Last June 10, Judge Voltaire Y. Rosales of RTC Branch 83 in Tanauan City, Batangas was fatally ambushed.
Last Feb. 21, Judge Paterno G. Tiamson of RTC Branch 69 in Binangonan, Rizal died as a result of stab wounds.
On May 17, 2003, Judge Pinera A. Biden of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Kabugao, Apayao died of gunshot wounds.
Six months later, Judge Oscar Gaby M. Uson, of RTC Branch 54 in Tayug, Pangasinan was gunned down by assailants on September 27, 2002.
On Oct. 31, 2001, Judge Ariston L. Rubio, of RTC Branch 17 in Batac, Ilocos Norte died due to multiple gunshot wounds.
On Nov. 1, 1999, Judge Celso F. Flores, Sr., formerly of the RTC Branch 1 in Borongan, Eastern Samar, died of gunshot wounds. (KNR)
(September 18, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
