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Sunday, January 08, 2006
SC magistrate bucks guns for judges
ALLOWING judges to carry firearms would be like turning them into cowboys of the "wild, wild west," said Supreme Court Associate Justice Renato Corona.
Corona said the primary role of officers of the court such as judges and justices is to be advocates of the rule of law rather than becoming executioners themselves.
"The Philippines will become a Marlboro country once each judge will carry firearms while conducting hearings with their sides bulging because of the holsters," he said.
The Pro-Gun society has earlier pushed for allowing the judges and justices to carry firearms following the killing of Pasay Judge Henrick Guingoyon last December 31 in Bacoor town in Cavite.
"As with many things in life, we have to go on a case to case basis. Not because one judge was shot, you will arm all judges already. Imagine all the judges wearing holsters while holding hearings. We are duty-bound to maintain the rule of law in the country," he said.
Corona also advised judges and justices to refrain from going to karaoke bars to avoid being ambushed or from singing the fatal Frank Sinatra song of "My Way," which has been blamed for many a violent death in karaoke joints.
Corona, who attended Friday's inauguration of the firing range in Makati Square of Armscor, a manufacturer of guns and ammunitions, said owning guns should be a last resort for judges and justices.
He said there are many ways for any judge or justices to prevent themselves from being hurt.
If one judge would feel that there is threat on his life, he could apply for a permit to carry firearm and undergo the regular process of securing such permit.
"Carrying firearms is not the only solution. It is not true that because you have a gun, you will be spared from an ambush. Carrying a gun is the final option," he said.
Judges or justices, who are receiving threats to their lives, may resort to "prayer and ask for protection from the Lord," he added.
He said they may also report the threats to the police or should not go home late to avoid being ambushed. They may also opt to change their route in going to office and going house.
"If you have done these preventive measures and it did not prove to be effective, may be that would be the time that you will bring a gun. It is not simple to carry a firearm. You should have knowledge on how to use it because it might go off at your face. The mentality that judges should be armed because one judge was killed is not right," he said.
Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban earlier reconstituted the Committee on Security in line with the Gingoyon slay.
Panganiban designated Justice Cancio Garcia as chairperson; SC court administrator Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr., as vice chairwoman; with Court of Appeals presiding justice Ruben T. Reyes; SC chief security division Danilo Pablo and SC employees association Jose Dante Guerrero as members.
The committee shall study Carpio's proposal to organize, in cooperation with the National Bureau of Investigation a US Marshall-type security unit that shall provide not only preventive security for threatened justices and judges but will bring to justice all those who may have assaulted, injured or killed any members of the judiciary. (ECV/Sunnex)
(January 8, 2006 issue)
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