TOP officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) met on Tuesday, March 17, 2021, to renew their commitment to work together and strengthen their communication line for faster resolution of the killings of judges, prosecutors and member of the legal profession.
In a joint statement, the PNP and the IBP said they will collaborate with each other within the parameters of the Lawyer Security and Justice memorandum of agreement that the two institutions signed in March 2020 which aims to protect members of the legal community from any kind of violence.
"The PNP leadership does not sanction or tolerate the use of unnecessary/unreasonable force; illegal/questionable methods, or abuse of authority in pursuing its mandate to enforce the law and maintain peace and order; It shall hold accountable and discipline any police officer or employee who acts in violation of the Constitution, law, or regulations,” the two groups stated.
"The IBP believes that Justice Bilis is a key deterrent to criminality and will continue to encourage and enable its members to help move the wheels of justice in our country much faster... Lawyer killings shall be investigated promptly and thoroughly with the suspects subsequently identified, prosecuted, and penalized,” they added.
The Free Legal Assistance Group (Flag) earlier said 61 lawyers have been killed since June 2016, when President Rodrigo Duterte took office.
The IBP said the close coordination between the police and the IBP had resulted in faster resolution of the killings of lawyers Eric Jay Magcamit in Palawan and Joey Luis Wee in Cebu City.
IBP president Domingo Cayosa also pledged to provide legal assistance, through the group’s legal aid program, to qualified police officers who are “unjustly” harassed while in the performance of their duties and who do not have access to a competent lawyer.
He said they will help improve the legal knowledge and skills of police officers and inculcate in them adherence to the rule of law and respect for basic rights through lectures, seminars, workshops and other educational training programs.
Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar, PNP officer-in-charge, said the PNP is committed in providing timely assistance to lawyers, prosecutors, and judges in distress or danger and extending appropriate security and protection in cases of threat or hazard in the performance of their duties and functions.
He said the PNP will also help enhance the knowledge and skills of lawyers in terms of security, personal defense, firearms proficiency and discipline, and allow use of PNP facilities for such training.
Eleazar said members of the legal community will be assisted in the processing of application for gun license and permit to carry firearms outside residence.
"The PNP and IBP shall nurture a principled and proactive partnership to end impunity and seek peace and justice for all,” he said.
The legal community earlier expressed concern following the letter of an intelligence officer addressed to a Calbayog City court asking for the identification of the lawyers representing the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), its armed wing New People's Army (NPA) and political unit National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
The intelligence officer, Lieutenant Fernando Calabria Jr., and Calbayog City police office chief Neil Montaño were relieved from post. (SunStar Philippines)