President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a study for the possible establishment of a legal department within the Philippine National Police (PNP) to protect its officers from harassment and unfounded accusations.
During a command conference at Camp Crame on Tuesday, the President emphasized the need for a PNP legal office that would provide a defense counsel for officers facing complaints.
“We’ll create an internal legal office so they won’t have to pay for advice,” Mr. Marcos said.
He expressed concern over the weaponization of legal cases against police, highlighting that criminals often have skilled lawyers while officers lack representation.
The proposed department aims to assist officers, especially those who can’t afford legal services, as well as defend against influential groups targeting the police.
“They are being sued left and right, some of them are powerful figures. So, of course, they have a lot of capability, a lot of resources, a lot of money. They have access to famous lawyers, so we need to have a defense too. Yes, we have to protect our people,” Marcos said.DOJ to assist PNP in review of cases dismissed by courts
In a related development, the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday vowed to assist the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the review of cases filed in courts but were eventually dismissed.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla made the assurance after PNP Spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said they will be establishing committees to review dismissed cases.
Fajardo had said PNP officers who handled the dismissed cases would undergo refresher courses to beef up their competency, while those to be designated as investigators should be a graduate of a relevant course and have handled cases that led to successful convictions.
Neither the DOJ nor Fajardo provided data on how many cases initiated by the PNP have been dismissed by the trial courts.
“The DOJ will collaborate with the PNP to bridge the gaps,” Remulla said in a statement.
“Our prosecutors will take proactive involvement in case build-up making sure that no stones are left unturned,” he added.
The DOJ chief welcomed the PNP’s move of “creating committees to revisit the cases they have previously filed but were dismissed.”
He recalled that in 2023, he signed Department Circular No. 20 that directed prosecutors to be proactive in case build up in establishing a strong prima facie case supported by actual evidence, witnesses, and documents, among others.
“The collaborative efforts of the DOJ and the PNP will safeguard the innocent while bringing the perpetrators to justice,” Remulla said.
“Evidence planting and case fabrication have no place, they are and never will be allowed in this administration, legal processes will be in place so that justice will be served to whom it is due,” he added.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Marcos eyes creation of PNP legal department to protect police officers”
