Gamboa says PNP ‘obliged’ to protect judges with death threats

PNP OIC Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa in a press briefing. INQUIRER.net file photo / NOY MORCOSO

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is prepared to provide security for judges who are receiving death threats, PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa said Wednesday.

“So kung gusto nila magprovide ng PNP security on judges [If they want PNP to provide security on judges] then, we are obliged to protect them,” Gamboa told the media in Camp Crame when asked if PNP will aid former Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin who faced death threats shortly after the latter’s retirement.

Gamboa said it is a “nationwide directive” for the police service to give security for judges facing threats because of the recent murder of Judge Mario Anacleto Bañez, 54, in La Union.

Provincial directors and police chiefs may have the authority to deploy security officers, Gamboa said.

“It doesn’t have to reach me. So, kahit provincial level or kahit chief of police level [Even at the provincial level or chief of police level], they have to authority to deploy security but on a specific period of time,” Gamboa said. /jpv

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