All is well that ends well.
Top officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) met on Tuesday, March 16, and discussed the controversy brought by letter of the intelligence chief of Calbayog City that asks the local court to provide the names of the lawyers representing communist rebels and their alleged supporters.
The letter, which went viral on social media last week, caused human rights groups and the legal community to express grave concern amid the series of killings of members of lawyers and other members of the judiciary.
The discussion was led by PNP Officer-In-Charge Lt. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar and IBP President Domingo Egon Q. Cayosa at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, March 17, the PNP and the IBP emphasized that policemen and lawyers should not be on a collision side in the pursuit of justice and rule of law in the country.
“The PNP and IBP recognizes that policemen and lawyers are key pillars in the criminal justice system, hence, they would be more effective and efficient if they work together to ensure that due process and the rule of law shall prevail,” their joint statement read.
On the part of the PNP, Eleazar said the PNP does not condone or tolerate the use of unnecessary and unreasonable methods in pursuing its mandate to enforce the law and maintain peace and order, adding that it shall hold accountable any policemen who would defy it.
Last week, Eleazar sacked Police Lt. Fernando Calabria Jr. who was the signatory in the letter and the chief of police of Calbayog City for command responsibility.
On the other hand, Cayosa said that swift justice is a key deterrent to criminality and vowed to continue encouraging and enabling its members to help move the wheels of justice in the country much faster.
Both the PNP and the IBP agreed that killings of lawyers must be investigated thoroughly and promptly.
Both Ellazar and Cayosa, along with their respective officials, reaffirmed the continuing periodic joint review of the existing Memorandum of Agreement between the PNP and IBP.
Cayosa reiterated the assurance of the IBP to provide legal assistance, through its legal aid program, to qualified police officers who are unjustly harassed for doing their job and who do not have access to a competent lawyer.
For his part, Eleazar informed Cayosa that the PNP Human Rights Affairs Office is conducting its own review of the PNP’s compliance with human rights standards in police operations because the PNP remains keenly responsive to the requirement of respect for human rights in law enforcement.
“We have sought to strengthen our partnership with IBP to develop greater confidence among police personnel and officers of the court,” Eleazar said.
Cayosa assured Eleazar of the commitment of IBP to help improve the legal knowledge and skills of police officers and inculcate in them adherence to the rule of law and respect for basic rights through lectures, seminars, workshops and other educational training programs.
Eleazar, on the other hand, expressed the commitment of the PNP to provide timely assistance to lawyers, prosecutors, and judges in distress or danger and extend appropriate security and protection in cases of threat or hazard in the performance of their duties and functions.