DOJ faces tough task of rebuilding court records in Yolanda-hit areas

MANILA, Philippines—It will be difficult to reconstitute the records of pending cases in courts that have been battered by monster typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan), an official from the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday.

Prosecutor General Claro Arellano said the Hall of Justice in Tacloban, Leyte alone was totally damaged by the typhoon.

“Our chance is to be able to reconstitute the records of the cases from the parties but that too will be difficult,” Arellano said.

The prosecutors’ office is housed at the Bulwagan ng Katarungan Compound in Tacloban, Leyte. Arellano said, a staff and wife of a prosecutor were reported to among the typhoon fatalities.

The Office of the Prosecutors will resume work on Monday.

“We are preparing to send typewriters and other supplies to them,” Chief Prosecutors Association (CIPROSA) head and Manila Chief Prosecutor Edward Togonon said.

The prosecutors have sent a second batch of assistance to affected prosecutors and staff this week—two trucks of relief goods and clothes, said Togonon.

Arellano said the trucks left via Batangas port Friday and arrived in Tacloban Wednesday.

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