SC probes threats on Justice Brion's life
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 07/02/2009 9:30 PM
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The Supreme Court (SC) is now probing reports about the threat on the life of Justice Arturo Brion. The threat came out following the high court’s affirmation of the death sentence against drug dealer German Agojo.
The threat was apparently directed only to Brion despite the decision being issued out unanimously by all five justices of the SC’s second division.
SC spokesman Atty. Midas Marquez said it could be connected to the 2004 killing of Tanauan Judge Voltaire Rosales, who was murdered after giving Agojo the death sentence.
He said Rosales is Brion’s former student in Ateneo.
"Dati nyang estudyante sa Ateneo Law School,” said Marquez. “Apparently, meron lang nag tip [kay Brion about the threat] and we don’t take those tips sitting down. Its being verified and we're taking the necessary precaution."
Marquez added that they are also verifying reports that there were leaks revealing how the judges deliberated Agojo’s case.
Brion reportedly blocked any proposal to acquit Agojo during the deliberations. He purportedly even pushed the affirmation of the convict’s death sentence.
"Were still looking at that. It’s an allegation that has yet to be substantiated," said Marquez.
Brion continued to report at the office despite the threat. He also refused to comment on the issue.
It was earlier reported that he was tipped off on a contract on his life.
“I was informed of a death threat. The Court found the information reliable and is looking into it,” Brion said in an interview. “This is part of the risk that I have to undergo.”
Brion declined to be specific about the information that he received. He said the threat has to do with a drug case, but he did not want to elaborate. The most he could say was this: “If anything happens to a justice of the Supreme Court, it will have a chilling effect on the judiciary.”
Sixteen judges have been killed since 1999. Last year, the Supreme Court announced a total of P1-million reward money for informants and witnesses whose information can lead to the arrest and conviction of the killers.
Brion has already reported the threat on his life to the police. With a report from Marieton Pacheco, ABS-CBN News
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