US Marshals-type agency eyed by SC

MANILA, Philippines — Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta’s proposal for the establishment of a US Marshals Service-type agency to protect judges and justices from security threats has gained the support of a House leader.

Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel on Sunday invited Peralta to endorse a draft bill creating a new agency patterned after the US Marshals Service.

“We would urge the Chief Justice to endorse to Congress a draft bill forming the envisioned Philippine Marshals Service,” Pimentel said.

On Oct. 28, Peralta said he wished to create a security team patterned after the US Marshals Service amid reports of an apparent rise in killings of lawyers and judges.

“We hope that we can devise the system either through legislation or through court initiative, the creation of a security system patterned after the US Marshals,” the magistrate said. —DJ Yap