The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Negros Oriental will deploy police personnel to the Hall of Justice in Dumaguete City, the province’s capital, following the pull out of at least eight security guards whose security agency’s contract had expired Monday.
Acting provincial police director Sr. Supt. Henry Biñas in an interview Monday disclosed that Negros Oriental Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Gerardo Paguio, Jr. had called him asking for the assignment of police personnel to the Hall of Justice starting Tuesday.
Sr. Supt. Biñas further disclosed he has promised to send a number of police personnel there to man the entry and exit points of the Hall of Justice while the problem on security guards is being addressed.
But he also explained that the arrangement will be temporary and for a short period only as the PNP in the province is also undermanned.
Biñas said they are also looking at asking Capitol, through Gov. Roel Degamo, to perhaps deploy some security personnel to the Hall of Justice.
The provincial police director said Judge Paguio told him that the Supreme Court had informed them of the expiration of the security agency’s contract and it would take at least three months before new security guards will be assigned there.
The current security agency has reportedly not renewed its contract because it was “losing”, a source from the court said.
In the meantime, sheriffs and other staff will be doing the frisking and security checks at the entrance to the building.
The Regional Trial Court has also issued a notice to the public that due to the absence of security guards, it is still business as usual at the Hall of Justice, however, the gates will be closed to non-occupants.
This means that people transacting business there would have to park outside of the compound.
Sr. Supt. Biñas said he will meet with Judge Paguio on Tuesday to iron out details of the deployment of police personnel to the Hall of Justice.
Meanwhile, the public is assured that it is business as usual at the Hall of Justice although there will be some inconvenience for now. (Judy Flores Partlow)