President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act (RA) 12177, known as the Free Legal Assistance for Military and Uniformed Personnel Act, on April 15, providing free legal aid to soldiers and other uniformed personnel facing charges related to their duties.
The law covers officers and personnel from various agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and others.
It specifies that legal assistance is available for civil, criminal, and administrative cases linked to the performance of their official functions.
Retired or separated military and uniformed personnel are also eligible for legal assistance for cases arising from their time in active service.
The law mandates that legal officers from respective agencies assist within 24 hours of receiving charges, with guidelines and procedures for availing the service to be established by each agency.
Source: PhilNews24 | April 27, 2025
NEW LAW GRANTS LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO SOLDIERS, APPROVED BY MARCOS
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