Aguirre says Maute cases should be tried outside Mindanao for the judges’ safety
QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — The Department of Justice will appeal the Supreme Court order assigning to special courts in Cagayan De Oro City the cases involving members of the Maute Group as well as others involved in the violence in Marawi City.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said that while the High Court agreed with the creation of special courts that would try the Maute cases and martial law-related cases stemming from the Marawi situation, it would be safer to locate these special courts in Luzon or Visayas.
He said Cagayan de Oro City is still too close to Lanao del Sur for comfort.
He said that special courts located outside Mindanao would be better for the safety of those who will take part in the proceedings involving the Maute group.
“Not ok with us because it is too near to the Lanaos and Marawi City. I told them to file a motion for reconsideration,” Vitaliano said when asked about his reaction to the Supreme Court ruling assigning prospective Maute cases to special courts in Cagayan de Oro City.
In a resolution issued on Tuesday, the Supreme Court granted the DOJ’s plea for the creation of special courts but it denied its request that it be located outside Mindanao where martial law is declared.
The DOJ is asking the Supreme Court to assign courts in Luzon and Visayas, but this was rejected by the Supreme Court which assigned Cagayan De Oro trial courts to take over Maute cases.
According to Aguirre, the Cagayan de Oro regional trial court is within reach of the Maute Group, thereby endangering the lives of judges and prosecutors who will handle the case.
“Having specialized courts already created in places outside Mindanao, the territorial area of operation of terrorists, shall ensure safety to all those who will take part in the proceedings. With this in mind, justice may run its course without fear of violence and threat thereof,” Aguirre said in a letter.
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