Today (November 15, 2007) a lady trial lawyer (Atty. Rebecca Manuel Basa) and her lady client in a marriage annulment case were shot to death by a professional killer inside the courtroom of RTC Branch 199 (Family Court) of Las Pinas City. The killer walked away and his identity was unknown. The incident left the court staff traumatized. It has created fear and anxiety in the local Justice System and the local Bar of our great city.
It is tragic that the double killing happened on the very birthday of our Executive Judge, Hon. Leopoldo Baraquia, and on the eve of our city’s Bench and Bar Dialogue, which will be held tomorrow, whole day, at the garden of Sen. And Rep. Manny and Cynthia Villar in BF Resort Village, Las Pinas City.
May I urgently suggest to the Chief Justice the following:
1. That the sala of RTC 199 be moved soonest to the renovated hall of justice of our city (at present Branch 199 occupies a small structure near the local post office);
2. That metal detectors be issued to all police guards of all salas in our city:
3. That a security re-training program be conducted for all local judges, court staff and court security personnel;
4. That the security manpower in courts be increased;
5. That the Chief Justice visit our courts and its judges to boost the moral of our local justice system.
Atty. MANUEL J. LASERN A JR.
Board Consultant, Las Pinas City Bar Assn, 2007-08
Founder, Las Pinas City Bar Assn, 2001
Past Director and VP, IBP PPLM Chapter, 1995-2007
Tel/Fax 8742539