Peralta bats for creation of ‘marshals’ to secure judiciary

In a press briefing, Peralta said the duties of the unit will be different from those assigned to court sheriffs. (PNA file photo by Benjamin Pulta)

MANILA — Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta on Friday said he will push for a law that will put up an independent armed unit patterned after the United States Marshals Service to secure members of the judiciary.

In a press briefing, Peralta said the duties of the unit will be different from those assigned to court sheriffs.

“This will require an act of Congress,” Peralta said, adding that the marshals would have powers to arrest.

According to its website, the US Marshals Service was the first federal law enforcement agency put up in 1789 and is the enforcement arm of the federal courts, involved in virtually every federal law enforcement initiative.

In the US, marshals direct the activities of 94 districts — one for each federal judicial district with 3,547 deputy US marshals and criminal investigators.

The duties of the US Marshals Service include protecting the federal judiciary, apprehending federal fugitives, managing and selling seized assets acquired by criminals through illegal activities, housing and transporting federal prisoners and operating the Witness Security Program.

The marshals also provide assistance in going after fugitives.

Peralta’s remarks come in the wake of the killing of judges and prosecutors in the country.

On Tuesday, Judge Mario Anacleto Bañez of the Tagudin, Ilocos Sur Regional Trial Court was shot by still unidentified gunmen while he was on his way home to San Fernando City, La Union. The assailants left the scene onboard a blue motorcycle of still unidentified description.

The victim was rushed to Bethany Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Authorities have yet to determine the motive for the killing.