News Briefs: October 12, 2018

Duterte confers award on 5 slain PDEA agents

President Duterte on Wednesday paid tribute to five slain agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) by posthumously conferring on them the Order of Lapu-Lapu. The President visited the wake of the fallen agents at Camp Siongco in Maguindanao just before he flew to Bali, Indonesia, and extended financial, burial and employment assistance to the bereaved families, Malacañang said in a statement. The five PDEA agents were ambushed in Kapai, Lanao del Sur, last Oct. 5 after attending a dialogue with former drug dependents in Barangay Kianibong, Togoloan II. Killed were Vencio Ardepolla, Laurice Joy Amar, Diobel Pacinio, Kenneth Capuno and Kristine Mae Torlao. Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go said  Duterte gave the bereaved families P20,000 in cash, P250,000 in cheques and a cellphone each. —JULIE M. AURELIO AND JEOFFREY MAITEM

Bill seeks to criminalize child marriages

Two lawmakers have filed a bill seeking to criminalize the practice of child marriage, regardless of cultural or religious beliefs. House Bill No. 8440, filed by Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, defined children as persons below 18 years old. The definition also included “those unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from … exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability.” The bill considered child marriages as a “grave form of child abuse and exploitation.” The proposed measure would punish adults who contract a child marriage with a minor below 12 years old with imprisonment of 10 to 12 years. The bill would also punish parents or guardians who arrange or consent to a child marriage. —VINCE F. NONATO

Judges want marshals to provide them security

Following the killing of another colleague early this week, the organization of judges in the country has urged the government to designate marshals as their protectors. The Philippine Judges Association (PJA) is crafting a proposal that would tap former policemen and soldiers as marshals who would also investigate physical attacks against the judges. “This marshal system will address the security concerns facing our justices and judges,” PJA president and Marikina Regional Trial Court Judge Felix Reyes told reporters at the wake of Ozamis City Regional Trial Court Judge Edmundo Pintac on Monday. Pintac was killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen last Oct. 8. Pintac handled the drugs and firearms possession cases against Ozamiz Vice Mayor Nova Parojinog and her brother Reynaldo Parojinog Jr. —DONA Z. PAZZIBUGAN

2 Davao judges appointed CA associate justices

President Duterte has appointed two judges from Davao to plum posts in the Court of Appeals. Named assciate justices were Judge Loida Posadas-Kahulugan of the Bansalan, Davao del Sur Regional Trial Court (RTC) and Judge Evalyn Arellano-Morales of the Davao City RTC. The President signed their appointment papers on Wednesday. Posadas-Kahulugan will fill the seat vacated by Associate Justice Socorro Inting, who was previously appointed commissioner of the Commission on Elections by Mr. Duterte. Arellano-Morales will replace former Associate Justice Melchor Quirino Sa-dang, who opted to retire early last year. —JULIE M. AURELIO