Cong. Edgar Chatto hailed the passage of Republic Act No. 12177, a law providing free legal assistance to military and uniformed personnel (MUP) facing service-related cases.
Chatto said “police work is a very challenging task and there are always obstacles,” underscoring the need to provide legal support, especially when facing harassment suits in the performance of their duties.
As then governor, Chatto partnered with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Bohol Chapter and the Bohol Provincial Police Office in a long-running program known as the Legal Aid for Effective Law Enforcement Program (LAELEP).
Former Provincial Prosecutor Angel S. Ucat, Jr had hailed LAELEP as probably the first in the entire country.
It was formalized in Resolution No. 2000-018, in January 21, 2000 through former Gov. Rene Relampagos and Cong. Chatto as then vice governor.
This program provides continuing legal education to police officers to help them become effective law enforcers. Every year, judges and lawyers deliver lecture to police officers to keep them abreast with the latest legal developments.
Most importantly, the IBP Bohol Chapter, through LAELEP, has a pool of lawyers ready to represent police officers and other law enforcers usually in counter charges related to their duties.
Las year, Chatto had met with Col. Cesar Misola Jr, PMSG Ferdinand Tutor, PMSG Arnulfo Cael Jr, and PMSG Jefferson Amolato, where the former expressed support for the measure.
He shared that under the LAELEP, legal assistance was provided to state actors in the fight against drugs and criminality. It also offered opportunities to enhance capacity for case build up.
“The law assures that state operatives in the performance of their duties do not necessarily dip their hands into their pockets just to defend themselves,” Chatto stated.
Chatto had expressed firm belief that law enforcers should be given the chance to undergo trainings for them to have a better understanding of the criminal mind and how it works, affording them a much better chance of apprehending those in conflict with the law and putting them behind bars.
RA 12177 or the Free Legal Assistance for Military and Uniformed Personnel Act mandates the government to 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.
It covers all active, retired, honorably separated or discharged personnel of the following: Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippines National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Corrections and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority Hydrography Branch.
The law provides free legal representation, legal advice, and the preparation of documents such as pleadings, motions, memoranda, and notarized documents. It also includes the coverage of court filing fees and related legal expenses.