As it marks shooting rampage anniversary, Judge worries court security

CEBU, Philippines - Regional Trial Court Judge Macaundas Hadjirasul yesterday expressed concern over their security at the Palace of Justice as they marked today the first anniversary of the shooting rampage of a Canadian national inside the courtroom that killed three people, including the suspect, and injured a government prosecutor.

Hadjirasul said that court personnel, especially judges, are very much exposed to would-be assassins because they are holding office outdoor.

"It's risky holding office in an outdoor," Hadjirasul said.

The courts have been holding office outside the courthouse after the Marcelo Fernan Hall of Justice was damaged by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in October last year.

 "I am concerned with the others. Of course, like I said the area where we are conducting business now is open," said Hadjirasul, chairman of the committee on security at the Palace of Justice.

He explained that the area that needs to be secured by the security guards and the members of the Judicial Security Group became wider.

Exactly a year ago today, Canadian national John Pope went on a shooting rampage inside the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 6 killing Dr. Reynold Rene Rafols and his lawyer Jubian Achas.  Assistant city prosecutor Ma. Theresa Casiño was injured during the incident.

Armed with a handgun, Pope also tried looking for city prosecutor Nicolas Sellon in his office before committing suicide. The victims were waiting for the hearing to start when Pope started shooting at them.

Rafols was the complainant in the case for malicious mischief scheduled for hearing on that day against Pope.

According to Hadjirasul, the security at the palace of justice has been tightened after the incident but because of the earthquake things have changed.

"Same set-up of security as you've already known but after the earthquake mass changes have been taken place; the area that needs to be secured became wider," he said, adding that they need more security personnel to be detailed in the Palace of Justice to secure the people.

Hadjirasul said that court employees should be transferred to a better place as soon as possible.

"Of course we should transfer to a better place," he added.

The Palace of Justice is currently being secured by 12 security guards from Eagle Matrix Security Agency and eight policemen from the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) and Cebu City Police Office. —  (FREEMAN)