ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) and the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) welcomed the new law – Republic Act (RA) 12177 or the Free Legal Assistance for Military and Uniformed Personnel Act.
Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, PRO-6 spokesperson, said that under the new law the government will shoulder legal fees and provide comprehensive free legal services to military and uniformed personnel (MUPs) who face civil, criminal or administrative charges concerning the lawful performance of their official duties
“Gapasalamat kita sa sini nga bag-o nga law which makabulig gid sa aton mga pulis para indi na sila mabudlayan if maka-encounter sila sang mga counter charges sa Ila mga operations,” said Solis.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently signed RA 12177.
Covered under the law are active and retired members, as well as honorably separated or discharged personnel of the following: Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Corrections, and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority’s hydrography branch.
It guarantees free legal representation, legal advice, and assistance with documents like pleadings and motions. It also covers court filing fees and related legal expenses.
On the other hand, 3ID commander Major General Michael Samson said the signing of RA 12177 into law by the President is a good development to the government troops and a big help in looking for lawyers to protect them against counter charges.
“Our government troops on the ground will be more inspired to perform their official and lawful duties, knowing that our government fully support them in terms of free legal services,” said Samson./PN
