The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) condemned Ferdinand Marcos Jr for signing the Free Legal Assistance for Military and Uniformed Personnel Act (Republic Act No. 12177) on April 15, which will provide free legal services to corrupt and criminal soldiers and police. The bill was first filed during the term of Rodrigo Duterte, who promised legal support to police facing cases of extrajudicial killings and other crimes.

The law was pushed by Marcos’ relatives, including Sandro Marcos, Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, and other legislators. The bill passed the House of Representatives in December 2022, with 248 voting in favor and only three Makabayan representatives voting against it. It then passed the Senate in January, with 21 senators approving and none opposing.

The law provides “legal assistance” to officials and personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for all criminal, civil, and administrative hearings related to their service. Retired and honorably discharged uniformed personnel will also receive such assistance.

Using public funds, they will receive free consultations, lawyers, and other necessary support for court proceedings. For example, the government will fund legal aid for police and soldiers involved in cases of killing victims of the drug war, activists, and other ordinary citizens.

“When it comes to fascist repression, Marcos is no different from Duterte,” CPP information officer Marco Valbuena said. He stated that, like Duterte, Marcos is protecting soldiers and police, especially the criminals and corrupt within their ranks, from their legal accountability.

“This is a cover-up for crimes already committed and those that will be committed, as well as violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by the AFP and PNP,” Valbuena added.

The free legal service follows Marcos’s provision of an additional ₱200 to the daily subsistence allowance of soldiers. “Marcos is going all out in bribing and currying favor with the military and police to ensure their loyalty,” Valbuena said.

However, Valbuena declared that this will not save soldiers and police from revolutionary justice. “Even if they are acquitted by Marcos in reactionary courts, they will not escape the justice of the revolutionary movement,” Valbuena stated.

“Every crime against the people is recorded, every violation by soldiers, police, paramilitary, and their accomplice armed criminal groups against the rights of the people,” Valbuena added. “They will be held accountable to the people.”