SC says Cebu judge can tap staffers as security escorts
If a Cebu judge who received a death threat doesn’t want to get a police bodyguard, he can tap his own court staff as security escorts, a Supreme Court official said yesterday.
This was suggested by Judicial Reform Program Administrator Geraldine Faith Econg of the Supreme Court for the case of d Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Raphael Yrastorza. She said he may tap his staff, who can receive a P150 daily allowance for the extra service.
Under a Supreme Court memorandum, judges under threat are allowed to bring along their staff wherever they go, said Econg, who heads the SC Program Management Office.
“If Judge Yrastorza is uncomfortable with organic (law enforcers), he may seek the services of his personal office staff,” Econg told Cebu Daily News over the phone.
Last Thursday, Yrastorza received an anonymous letter signed “Ka Jerry” who said he was judged and meted the death sentence for his “oppressive” actions related to the grant of bail.
Yrastorza, presiding judge of RTC Branch 14 in Cebu City, asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to verify the written death threat but said he won’t request police protection.
Article continues after this advertisementEcong, a former Cebu RTC judge who handled the parricide case of cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr., recalled the pressure of the threat, and said death threats can affect a judge.
Article continues after this advertisement“I could not sleep. The problem is that you won’t know whether the threats are real,” said Econg. She used to receive threatening text messages on her mobile phone as a Cebu judge in 2008.
Econg said it helps to have a security escort.
“When you conduct a hearing, you can focus on what you’re doing. You don’t have to keep looking at your surroundings,” she said.
Econg was given a female police escort after receiving death threats.
Henry Espinosa, head of security operations at the Palace of Justice, said members of the Judicial Security Group (JSG) can ensure Yrastorza’s safety while he is inside the compound.
JSG personnel, who are employees trained to secure the courts, can only serve inside the Palace of Justice.
As of now, Espinosa said Judge Yrastorza hasn’t requested for an escort.
The judge’s clerk of court said he believes the threat has something to do with a bail bond of the accused as stated in the letter from “Ka Jerry,” but no details were written to specify which case was involved.
In a separate interview, Yrastorza said he was just doing his job.
“I’m not afraid. I fear no one except God. I’m not afraid of any human being,” he said.
Cebu City police said it will investigate the written death threat. Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, chief of the intelligence branch, said results of their investigation will be sent to the NBI Manila office. If needed, Santander said they can provide security escorts for Judge Yrastorza.
