|
By Jefferson Antiporda, Reporter
AFTER the so-called “euro generals” issue, the Philippine
National Police (PNP) could again face another controversy, this
time over the alleged approval of a P3-million fund to be used as
legal aid for police officers who have been charged while in the
line of duty.
The Alay Sa Filipino Foundation
appealed to national police chief Director Gen. Jesus Verzosa to
clarify reports that he approved a P3-million fund and tapped a law
firm to handle cases of policemen who could not be promoted because
of pending administrative and criminal cases.
At a news conference in Club
Filipino, Aida Sy, president of the foundation, said their group has
entered into an agreement with Aquila Legis Fraternity, an
association of Ateneo de Manila University law graduates, to help
handle cases filed against policemen.
The legal aid is being provided
by the foundation and the fraternity for free.
Sy said Verzosa has been
referring to the alleged fund as “legal aid” when in fact it was
the foundation who first used the term. She added the matter might
cause confusion among the police officers they are helping.
“We just want to clarify that
the foundation is not the recipient of the P3-million legal service
fund. We urge the chief PNP to stop referring to his program as
legal aid since that creates confusion among the policemen we are
now helping,” Sy said.
Existing legal office
Apparently, the national police
already has an existing legal office. However, Verzosa reportedly
commissioned a law firm, whose identify is still not known, and
tasked it to handle the cases of police officers.
At present, the foundation and
the fraternity has an existing agreement with the National Capital
Region Police Office and so far, the lawyers of Aquila Legis were
able to cause the dismissal of 11 policemen who were found to be
involved in various irregularities.
“We do not just defend
policemen from wrongful accusations, but we also prosecute those who
are abusive,” Sy said.
Lawyer Joey Remullo of the Aquila
Legis said his group is extending legal help absolutely “pro
bono” or for free. He denied having received a single centavo from
the national police.
The police institution admitted
that there is really a P3-million legal assistance fund and it is
being used by its legal assistance board, which handles the cases of
police officers who were accused of a crime while performing their
duty.
National police spokesman chief
Supt. Nicanor Bartolome said the fund is being used to pay for the
expenses of the police lawyers when attending hearings of police
officers who have been charged.
When asked about the private law
firm reportedly hired by the national police, Bartolome said he has
no idea about it.
|
