The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) expressed its support and approval on Sunday following the signing of Republic Act 12177 by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. This new law will provide free legal assistance to military and uniformed personnel, a move that the DILG says will offer significant benefits to those in uniform.

According to the DILG, the law will particularly help personnel from its attached agencies, such as the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, who might find themselves facing civil, criminal, or administrative cases in the course of performing their duties.

Republic Act 12177 establishes a clear and formal system that allows military and uniformed personnel to access legal services without the financial burden, ensuring they have the support they need whenever service-related cases arise.

With the signing of this law, the DILG is hopeful that police, fire and jail personnel will be able to carry out their roles with even more confidence and focus. By removing the fear of being targeted with baseless or unjust cases, the law is expected to provide much-needed peace of mind for those serving the public.