(Eagle News) – The Supreme Court has approved the request of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to transfer the cases of arrested members and sympathizers of the Islamist State-inspired Maute terror group, including those who were involved in the siege of Marawi City, to Taguig City courts.
Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore Te said the high court’s en banc session took place on June 27.
The cases are currently being tried in Cagayan de Oro City.
The Taguig City courts were also tasked to handle the cases of incidents arising from violent incidents in Marawi City.
“In the resolution, the court also designated a special intensive care area located along Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City instead of Camp Evangelista in Patag, Cagayan de Oro City as a temporary detention facility of any suspects subject to its instruction to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to expedite the relocation of any suspects to a suitable detention facility,” Te said in a press conference.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the high court’s decision was “great news” for the DOJ, explaining that this will solve a “lot of problems” regarding the security concern of prosecutors handling the cases filed against the Maute members.
“That is great news for the DOJ and its panels of prosecutors in Cagayan de Oro,” Aguirre said.
“It will solve a lot of problems like where the detainees are to be confined and whether we are going to rent a new place to hold the inquests and conduct preliminary investigations,” he added.
The Maute members and sympathizers who are currently under government custody include Cayamora and Farhana Maute – parents of Maute brothers Omar and Abdullah who set up the Maute terror group; suspected bomb maker Mohammad Noaim Maute, and former Marawi City mayor Fajad Salic.
The high court had earlier rejected Aguirre’s request to transfer the Maute cases in special courts in Luzon or the Visayas region. Aguirre wanted the cases transferred out of fear for the security and safety of the prosecutors and judges who will handle the cases.
In his appeal, Aguirre again cited these security and safety concerns, as well as the lack of adequate detention facilities inside Camp Evangelista, the headquarters of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division.
He met with Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on June 19. Sereno also wanted the the proceedings in thr Maute cases to be expedited.
At least 30 prosecutors would undergo training on the continuous trial system which prohibits postponements unless on exceptional grounds. It also sets trial dates one day apart, and sets promulgations of decisions not later than 90 days from the submission of cases for decision.
Two panels consisting of 15 prosecutors each – to be supervised by a senior prosecutor — would be tapped for the trial of the rebellion and other cases.