Despite her initial refusal to be provided security escorts, the Philippine National Police will insist on providing personnel for Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes after the trial of the Maguindanao massacre was raffled off to her sala on Thursday.

Officials of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court also started Friday scouring facilities inside the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame for a venue to hear the 57 counts of multiple murder charges against Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr. and at least 160 others.

Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina, PNP spokesman, said appropriate security measures will be implemented inside and within the premises of Camp Crame in Quezon City in order to ensure the safety of all those who are expected to attend the trial once it starts next year.

Espina said they will even go to the extent of providing security to all persons involved in the case, particularly the designated presiding judge.

As to the reported refusal of Judge Reyes to be provided police escorts, Espina said: “We will insist on providing her the needed security personnel.”

The Quezon City Police District for its part assured that it has secured the home of Reyes who has been chosen to handle the multiple murder charges against the Ampatuan clan.

“She lives in Quezon City and so we can provide police security to her home,” QCPD director Chief Supt. Elmo San Diego said.

Apart from this, San Diego has committed the QCPD to provide security for Reyes at the QC Hall of Justice even while she is handling other cases not related to the Ampatuan case.

“Hindi pwede na hindi natin bantayan. Babantayan natin siya kahit ayaw niya,” San Diego said.

Because of the high-profile case, San Diego advised Reyes to stay away from high-risk areas where she can be an easy target.

“We suggest that the judge limits her movements,” he said.

The initial refusal of Reyes for escorts drew admiration from various sectors, what with the earlier decision of fellow QC Judge Luisito Cortez to inhibit from the case against the powerful and feared Ampatuan clan due to fears for his life and his family.

The insistence of PNP to have Judge Reyes secured was backed by Judge Vivencio Baclig, 3rd Executive Judge of the QCRTC, who said he would recommend to his colleague to accept the police escort offer.

For his part, Judge Ferdinand de Sagun, 1st Executive Judge of the QCRTC, said they have yet to decide the venue they would recommend to Judge Reyes.

“Up to this point in time, we have not decided on that matter; everything will be evaluated based on what we saw and noticed,” said Sagun.

Asked if they would consider the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig, Baclig said they would strictly abide with the Supreme Court resolution stating that the trial shall be held in Camp Crame.

This as Quezon City Councilor Ariel Inton filed a resolution asking the city council to allow the city’s Albert Hall, where council sessions are held, to be the venue of the trial.

The council’s majority floor leader councilor said the court room of Judge Solis may not be big enough to comfortably accommodate the accused, as well as the prison guards, law enforcers and their battery of lawyers.

At least 25 respondents in the November 23 massacre of journalists and civilians are already in police custody, including Ampatuan Jr. and the Ampatuan patriarch, former Maguindanao Governor Andal Sr.

A manhunt is currently ongoing for more than 100 others—there are a total of 161 respondents identified so far—mostly members of the Civilian Volunteer Organization (CVO) in Maguindanao who were turned as private goons of the Ampatuans.

Meanwhile, senators on Friday lauded the bravery of Reyes for taking on the challenge of handling the trial.

“Judge Reyes should be lauded for her courage and professionalism. She is an inspiration to all and a good example to our youth, especially young girls,” said Senator Pilar Juliana “Pia” Cayetano, who chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice.

“With this development, I join our people in expressing hope and confidence for the swift delivery of justice for all the victims and their loved ones,” she added.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano also commended Reyes for exemplifying courage and her sense of duty.

“Apparently the best man for the job is a woman,” the younger Cayetano said.

Senator Francis Pangilinan for his part urged the PNP, the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Justice to give the case full attention.

“They should not wait until Judge Reyes calls for security; provide her some protection immediately,” Pangilinan said.

Presidential aspirant Sen. Manuel Villar also urged Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno to beef up security for the judges who will hear the massacre case.

“The SC should ensure the safety of those involved in this case. We cannot allow members of the judiciary to be cowed into frustrating the administration of justice,” Villar, Nacionalista Party president and standard-bearer, said.

“Extraordinary circumstances necessitate extraordinary measures. I am confident that Chief Justice Puno is aware of the need to do whatever it takes, within the bounds of law and reason, to prevent a miscarriage of justice in this case,” he said.

“We should not allow fear stop the wheels of justice from turning. The victims, their families and the whole country demand justice for the terrible crimes committed against them.” (With reports from Hannah L. Torregoza, Jeffrey G. Damicog, Chito A. Chavez, and Freddie G .Lazaro)