Loose security

As if she doesn’t have enough misfortune on her, dismissed judge Rosabella Tormis may be held liable for the loss of 13 firearms that were locked up in her sala as evidence in court cases last week.

Tormis, who was nursing her ailing husband, was dismissed by the Supreme Court for her alleged involvement in a so-called marriage scam in which couples were wed despite lacking legal requirements.

When Cebu Daily News contacted her via cell phone, a man answered and said she pawned her cell phone to him, indicating that she may be in dire straits after being out of a job for weeks.

While one feels sympathy for Tormis’ plight, the bigger issue remains the loss of the 13 firearms in her custody following the discovery of a court clerk on the cabinet housing these weapons that was forcibly opened.

Initial details were sketchy and we may never know when the theft was actually executed. Forensic experts are certainly called in to examine the cabinet but owing to inadequate materials and technology, can the police determine when the robbery occurred, let alone identify the perpetrators responsible for the theft?

That said, how come Tormis didn’t at least turn over the firearms to a safer location, such as the Firearms Explosives Security Agencies and Guard Supervisory Section (FESSAGS) of the Philippine National Police or to those whose cases of illegal firearms possession were dismissed as part of procedure?

Lest she be totally blamed for the loss, though legally she can be held liable, one should also consider if her court personnel were to blame for failing to inform her about this so the turnover could be completed.

Judges have a ton of cases to handle and they have staff to handle the minute details like a turnover of firearms to the owners or proper authorities. Whether it be neglect or an inside job, last week’s discovery of the loss of 13 firearms is an indication of how lax and grossly inadequate court security is.

One would think that after a Canadian managed to sneak in a firearm and blast away two people and nearly killed a female prosecutor, that court security would be a lot tougher.

Apparently the security level is high on the entry and exit of people and not on the staff offices where evidence such as firearms are kept in cabinets that can be broken into by enterprising people, perhaps even in broad daylight.

We are reminded about the security cameras that were recently installed by the Cebu city government in the mayor’s office and wonder if the Supreme Court can spare some funds to buy additional “eyes and ears” to watch not only those entering and going but also those who have itchy fingers and wallets.

It’s a sad day when you can’t even trust your own people but tougher security measures should be in place to guard against both assailants and thieves who would dare exploit the security and safety of the courts.