PJA backs CJ’s call for marshal system to secure justices, judges

THE Philippine Judges Association (PJA) has backed the call of Supreme Court Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta for Congress to enact a law that would create a marshal system to project justices that will handle security concerns of justices, judges and other members of the Judiciary.

PJA President Felix Reyes said the unit, which should be called Philippine Marshal System, would provide security escorts for justice and judges, especially those handling sensitive cases and receive death threats.

Reyes lamented that since 1999, a total of 31 judges have been killed, five of whom were killed under the Duterte administration.

He noted that most of the judges killed were “handling drug-related cases” and heinous crimes, such as murder.

Other judges, on the other hand, were killed for personal reasons.

The Philippine Marshal System, according to Reyes, could be patterned after the US Marshal System and be under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court. “They will provide security to judges, justices and other court employees. It should be headed by a chief marshal with background in security, intelligence and investigative work,” Reyes said in an interview over a local broadcast network.

Reyes said their group will initially propose the hiring of at least 500 marshals to secure judges and justices.

Aside from providing security, he said, they will also conduct threat assessment for members of the Judiciary who receive death threats.

Peralta is also pushing for the creation of a similar system as part of his 10-Point Agenda to strengthen and improve the security and safety of judges, justices and court personnel.

Peralta’s proposal is gaining ground after last week’s killing of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, Regional Trial Court Judge Mario Anacleto Bañez by unidentified gunmen, while he was on his way home in La Union.