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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Solon seeks inquiry on PNP request for lawyers' list; says Calabria merely followed orders

Solon seeks inquiry on PNP request for lawyers' list; says Calabria merely followed orders

Published Mar 15, 2021 02:22 pm

The House of Representatives should conduct an inquiry into the Calbayog City police intelligence officer’s alleged request for a list of lawyers defending suspected communist rebels, House Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez said on Monday, March 15.

Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Rodriguez said the request made by Lt. Fernando Calabria Jr. was “improper, alarming and violates the duty of lawyers to render legal service to any person needing it.” The Cagayan De Oro’s 2nd District Representative said he believes Calabria did not act on his own will and a House probe is necessary to determine who ordered him to ask the Calbayog Regional Trial Court to furnish a list of lawyers of serving as legal counsel of suspected communists.

“Lt. Calabria claimed that he was just following an order from ‘higher-ups.’ Who in the hierarchy of the PNP gave such directive? Why was the order issued? What was their goal?” Rodriguez pointed out.

He also said House lawmakers should find out if similar requests have been made by any police officer from any other court in other parts of the country, as cases of lawyers being slain continue to increase.

“We have to find that out from the PNP (Philippine National Police) and from the Supreme Court. Any judge who has received a similar legally questionable solicitation should now report it to the Supreme Court,” Rodriguez said.

A former law dean and practicing lawyer, Rodriguez stressed that the targeted lawyers did nothing wrong in defending suspected communists as they have a Constitutional duty to defend suspects.

Rodriguez also said these suspected communists, in the first place, did not violate the law by just being communists, “unless they committed other offenses.” He pointed out Republic Act No. 1700 or the Anti-Subversion Act, which outlawed the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), was repealed under RA 7636 in 1992.

Rodriguez also explained that the Republic Act No. 9372, the Human Security Act (HSA) requires a regional trial court (RTC) declaration for any organization to be declared a terrorist and outlawed organization.

However, Republic Act No. 11479, the Anti Terrorism Act of 2020 repealed RA 9372 and now requires that the Court of Appeals (CA), upon application by the Department of Justice (DOJ), shall issue the Order of Proscription declaring an organization as a terrorist and outlawed organization.

“The issue of constitutionality of RA 11479 is now pending in the SC (Supreme Court),” Rodriguez said.

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