The Supreme Court (SC) has appointed three deputy marshals for its Office of the Judiciary Marshals (OJM) that provides security, safety, and protection to members, officials, personnel of the judiciary and the property of all courts in the country.
Appointed were retired police major general Joel Napoleon M. Coronel, retired armed forces colonel Randy O. Remonte, and then officer-in-charge of the National Bureau of Investigation Eric B. Distor who will serve as deputy marshals for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, respectively.
They took their oaths of office before Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo.
They will assist Chief Marshal Manuel R. Gaerlan who was appointed by the SC last March 10.
Under Republic Act No. 11691 enacted in 2022, the OJM will also provide security and protection to the integrity of proceedings in all courts.
It operates under the direct control and supervision of the SC and is empowered to investigate threats, conduct lawful arrests and seizures, and assist in the enforcement of writs and court processes.
Also, the OJM is empowered to investigate crimes committed against members of the judiciary, as well as allegations of graft and corruption within the judicial system.
It can issue subpoenas, apply for search warrants, administer oaths, and access public records from other government agencies while adhering to the provisions of the Data Privacy Act.
The OJM is composed of four offices -- Judicial Security and Operations Division, Investigation and Intelligence Division, Legal Division, and Digital Forensic Service.
The SC said the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) will provide additional supervisory support to the OJM to ensure coordination and adherence to SC’s directives.
When RA 11691 was enacted, Chief Justice Gesmundo said that the law “will be a great help not only to the Supreme Court but to the entire Judiciary as well in ensuring an efficient and effective delivery of justice.”
“Indeed, the creation of RA 11691 will not only secure, protect, and safeguard the Judiciary but will also boost the morale of its members, officials, and personnel at this time when there is the concern of the threats to judges and killings of lawyers,” Gesmundo said.
“’To threaten our judges and our lawyers is no less than an assault on the Judiciary. To assault the Judiciary is to shake the very bedrock on which the rule of law stands,” the Chief Justice stressed.