Duterte vows free legal aid to cops, soldiers sued in peformance of duties

Police General Oscar Albayalde, PNP chief. INQUIRER.net file photo / NOY MORCOSO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has promised to provide free legal assistance to police officers “unjustly” sued in performing their duties, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said Tuesday.

Albayalde said Duterte has requested the PNP to produce a list of personnel facing counter charges as they carry out legitimate police operations. The PNP chief said these policemen will be the first to benefit from the free legal assistance.

“We still do not know how it will come, kung ano ito, but ‘yun yung pinromise niya, that the Office of the President will give the legal assistance sa mga nakakasuhan in line of duty,” he said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

(We still do not know how this will come out and what will it be specifically, but that was his promise, that the Office of the President will give legal assistance to those sued while performing in the line of duty.)

During his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, Duterte also mentioned his plan, which will also benefit the military.

“We are aware of the fact that there are times in AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PNP personnel, while in the performance of their duties, get unjustly sued. Providing them with free legal assistance to help and boost their morale,” he said. /jpv

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