BY VICTOR REYES and WENDELL VIGILIA
THE PNP yesterday vowed to protect members of the judiciary following a stern warning issued by the Supreme Court against those who threaten to harm judges and their families.
The latest object of threats and vilification is a Manila judge who recently dismissed government’s petition to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and New People’s Army (NPA) as terrorist organizations.
“As part of its mandate to serve and protect the public, the Philippine National Police assures everyone that it is committed to undertake measures to protect the citizenry, including the members of our judiciary, against threats, intimidation, and crimes, including those perpetrated through the internet and social media platforms,” the PNP said in a statement.
At the House, Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel of the militant Makabayan bloc said the PNP should just walk the talk.
“We will set high expectations and be vigilant to make sure that PNP acts upon that vow,” said Manuel who on Tuesday questioned the PNP’s alleged bias against activists and asked why it is not a former official for posting “death threats” against Manila Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar
Manuel said the PNP “must prove that it is worthy of people’s trust after it has become evident that PNP goes after poor ordinary citizens but lets big personalities and people in power go scot-free.”
The PNP statement was silent on Manuel’s statement as to why it is not investigating Lorraine Badoy, former spokesman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, who, in a Facebook post last Friday accused Magdoza-Malagar of “lawyering” for the CPP-NPA.
“So if I kill this judge and I do so out of my political belief that all allies of the CPP NPA NDF must be killed because there is no difference in my mind between a member of the CPP NPA NDF and their friends, then please be lenient with me,” said Badoy in the post which was deleted the following day.
She denied making a hypothetical statement on killing Magdoza-Malagar, calling it “fake news.”
Magdoza-Malagar junked the government’s case to declare the CPP and the NPA as terrorist organizations in a decision dated September 21, earning her threats aired through social media. She said the communist movement was not organized for the purpose of engaging or committing terrorism, and said red-tagging puts the lives of activists in danger.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday warned “those who continue to incite violence through social media and other means which endanger the lives of judges and their families,” and said the actions “shall likewise be considered a contempt of this Court and will be dealt with accordingly.”
The High Court also also tackled during the en banc session “possible actions” regarding statements made by Badoy against Magdoza-Malagar.
The SC’s warning also came after organizations, including the Philippine Judges Association, Integrated Bar of the Philippines and Hukom Inc asked the government to act on the threats against Magdoza-Malagar.
The PNP, in the statement, said it values the key role of the judiciary, particularly “in protecting fundamental rights, settling disputes and administering justice, among others.”
“We, therefore, assure the Supreme Court and the public that the PNP will always be on the side of the law and ensures the safety and security of the honorable members of the court to enable them to promulgate decisions without fear of reprisal or retribution,” the statement said.
It also said officials of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group officials will visit judges and prosecutors “to offer the ACG’s assistance and provide lectures on cyber awareness.”
“This is to maintain close coordination and build rapport with our community partners and stakeholders to make our presence felt and to promote our services to the general public,” the PNP said.
It was not the first time that a judge was threatened. Last year, Mandaluyong RTC Judge Monique Quisumbing-Ignacio was also red-tagged after she dismissed charges of illegal possession of firearms filed against two activists. The SC responded by issuing a rare, strongly-worded statement condemning threats and killings of lawyers and judges.
