The Diocese of Kalookan has launched a legal aid program to help the poor access the country’s justice system, a move linked to the case of an altar boy who died from leptospirosis as a result of his search for his father who was illegally detained by Caloocan policemen.

The diocese headed by Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David urged lawyers and paralegals to join the effort in defending the poor facing court cases.

The creation of the Access to Justice Ministry followed the filing by Jason dela Rosa of criminal and administrative charges against Caloocan City policemen who locked him up in jail for several days without informing his family about the arrest and for filing a trump up charge against him.

David condemned the incident that resulted in the death of Dela Rosas’ 20-year-old son who spent days searching for his missing father. As a result, he became infected with leptospirosis that caused his death.

A college student, the boy was an altar boy serving a Caloocan City church when his case caught David’s attention.

The Catholic church said many poor individuals remain vulnerable due to a lack of legal representation and urged legal professionals to support the ministry.

“I am appealing especially to our public attorneys,” David said.

The “Access to Justice Ministry” was created in response to the increasing number of poor individuals who face criminal charges without proper legal counsel.

According to the dioceses many Filipinos, especially the poor, are unaware of their rights, cannot afford bail and lack access to timely legal assistance.

“I know many good lawyers who feel heartbroken when their clients say, ‘Attorney, I’ll just plead guilty. I can’t afford bail or a long trial,’” David said. “It breaks your heart to hear the poor say, ‘What choice do we have?’”