‘Access to Justice’: Diocese of Kalookan launches legal aid program for the poor
MANILA, Philippines — The Diocese of Kalookan has created a ministry dedicated to providing legal aid for the poor.
The “Access to Justice Ministry” was formed following the death of Dion Angelo “Gelo” Dela Rosa, a 20-year-old altar server, who died after finding his wrongfully detained father, Jayson Dela Rosa, in Malabon. The case was first raised by Kalookan Bishop Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David.
“I am appealing especially to our public attorneys,” David said, according to a report by CBCP News.
In a separate statement, “The poor often face the greatest burdens in the justice system. Many cannot afford bail, are unaware of their rights, and lack immediate access to legal assistance,” the Kalookan Diocese said in a statement.
“The Access to Justice Ministry of the Diocese of Kalookan seeks to change this reality by providing timely and compassionate legal aid for the poor,” it added.
Jayson filed several charges against police officers who detained him illegally before the National Police Commission on August 18.
RELATED: Father of altar boy who died from leptospirosis in Malabon files raps vs 3 policemen
On Wednesday, August 20, Northern Police District Chief Police Brigadier General Jerry Protacio said the three police officers involved in Jayson’s arrest and detention are now facing criminal charges of arbitrary detention, perjury and incriminatory machinations.
Czarina Santos, a law professor at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and one of the members of the ministry, said the initiative is dedicated to individuals who need lawyers before their case is filed before a court.
She explained that abuses often occur during the initial stages of a case, specifically when individuals are charged by the police and are unaware of their rights
“Wala talaga doon sa initiatory and usually yung abuses doon kasi nangyayari, yung doon pa lang sa part na kinakasuan sila ng police at di nila alam yun nangyayari, di sila makapag-countercharge, ang alam lang nila kung ano yung sinasabi sa kanila or pinipit sa kanilang idea ng police at mga tao sa paligid nila,” Santos said in a Philstar.com interview.
(The abuses usually happen during the initial stages because when people are charged by the police, they often don't know what is happening and are unable to file a countercharge. All they know is what the police and the people around them tell them or feed them.)
What happened to Jayson’s son. Dion Angelo passed away from leptospirosis after he was exposed to contaminated floodwaters while searching for his missing father in July 2025.
According to David’s post, Dion waded through floodwaters in Metro Manila for several days before the family later learned that Jayson had been arrested without a warrant for alleged illegal gambling and was being detained by police.
Dion, an altar server and college student, developed a fever and body aches shortly after finding his father in police custody on July 25.
He died from complications of the bacterial infection on July 27. Jayson was released from custody a few days later.
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