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MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde vowed to help prosecutors get their licenses to carry firearms, following the killing of Ombudsman assistant special prosecutor Madonna Joy Ednaco-Tanyag.
After visiting Tanyag’s wake at St Peter Memorial Chapels in Quezon City on Wednesday, June 6, Albayalde told reporters that he had earlier met with prosecutors from the National Capital Region, Region 4, and the Department of Justice last week to discuss how the PNP can help them with their permits and/or renewal of licenses to carry firearms.
“Hindi lang ito [tungkol] sa safety ng Ombudsman [prosecutors],” Albayalde said.
(This is not just about safefty of Ombudsman prosecutors.)
Indeed, Tanyag is the second prosecutor killed this year following the death of Quezon City prosecutor Rogelio Velasco who was gunned down by unknown assailants in Quezon City just last month.
In 2017, five other prosecutors were killed including Quezon Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Reymund Luna, Quezon City Prosecutor Johanne Noel Mingao, Caloocan Assistant City Prosecutor Diosdado Azarcon, Rizal Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Maria Ronatay, and Mandaluyong City Prosecutor Pablito Gahol.
Given this string of killings, Albayalde promised prosecutors that the PNP will process their permits to carry firearms outside of their residences.
“We promise them that we will process [their permits] kung talagang legal yung kanilang licenses (if they have legal licenses),” Albayalde said. “Walang problema kasi they are also entitled to carry outside of their residence, at government employee naman sila.”
(There is no problem with this because they are entitled to carry firearms outside of their residences, and also because they are government employees.)
In May this year, after prosecutor Rogelio Velasco’s killing, Senator Grace Poe also filed a resolution on May 17 urging two Senate panels to look into strengthening laws to protect public prosecutors.
In her resolution directed to the Senate committees on justice and human rights, and public order and dangerous drugs, Poe said there was a need to reassess existing policies and measures to protect prosecutors who “are clearly constantly within the crosshairs of the most notorious, dangerous, and evil-minded personalities they ought to prosecute.” – Rappler.com
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