PNP News Releases 2008

PNP EXPANDS LEGAL AID FOR COPS IN JOB-RELATED CASES

The Philippine National Police is providing legal assistance to 78 police personnel from the different National Support Units who are facing criminal cases filed before the Ombudsman, and 370 other personnel facing administrative cases before the different PNP disciplinary authorities.

"Project Legis" is a sustainable process of providing free legal assistance to PNP units and personnel in the form of legal education and training, direct legal assistance, and court representation.

PNP Chief, Director General Avelino I Razon Jr. said "Project Legis" also aims to enhance the legal working knowledge of every PNP member in the performance of their official functions, in order for them to avoid criminal, civil or administrative liabilities that may arise in their performance of duty.

A one-day Legal Aid Clinic was held today in Camp Crame attended mostly by personnel from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) who are respondents in criminal cases that have been determined by the PNP to be service-related.

Eighteen private lawyers from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the academe and prestigious law firms; and 15 PNP lawyers were present during the day-long Legal Aid Clinic initiated by the PNP Legal Service, and the PNP Legal Assistance Board.

"Although there are a number of issues and concerns affecting the PNP's opportunity to avail of free legal services from government agencies, the PNP is also getting private sector support to help policemen who are in trouble for job-related charges," Razon said.

"Based on our experience, some criminal syndicates and suspects have actually misused the legal system to get back at their arresting officers or to gain leverage in criminal cases that are filed against them by harassing the very same police officers who will testify against them in court," Razon explained.

According to Deputy Director General Jesus A Verzosa, Dputy Chief for Administration and concurrent Executive Director of the PNP Program Management Office, the PNP has 102 legal officers presently detailed with the different Police Regional and Provincial Offices, and National Support Units.

"While we condemn and punish undesirable members of the force, we too, vow to rush to the aid of honest police officers who are burdened by cases arising from their lawful performance of duty," Verzosa said.

Verzosa cited some issues and concerns that complicate the problem of policemen facing criminal charges in court. This includes an existing policy by the Commission on Audit that disallows spending of government funds for payment of professional fees of private lawyers.

The PNP has outstanding Memoranda of Agreement for free legal assistance with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and the Free Legal Assistance for Good Cops (FLAGCOPS) a private organization of lawyers.

Police personnel seeking to avail of the IBP free legal services are subject to the "merit and means" test of the IBP to determine if indeed the offenses committed are service-related.