Cebu Hall of Justice shooting prompts tighter security in all courts

MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court has tightened security measures on all courts nationwide following the incident in the Palace Hall of Justice in Cebu where three people were killed including a lawyer, doctor and the gunman.

Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said Tuesday that he has directed all executive judges nationwide to implement a two-level security checking system in their respective justice halls.

The Office of the Court Administrator is in charge on all courts around the country.

Marquez said he will reiterate his previous order to assign a court staff at the door of every courtroom to inspect those going into the courts.

“This way, there will be two levels of security checks – one in the entrance of the building and another in the entrance of the courtroom,” he said.

Marquez said the security guards at the time of the incident have been relieved. Members of the Regional Police Office have been deployed in the area to secure the building.

He added that  judges will also reactivate the judicial security groups they have earlier created to secure court houses.

Marquez immediately went to Cebu to personally oversee the investigation on the incident.