Court personnel start cleaning Zamboanga Hall of Justice

City of Zamboanga Hall of Justice. Photo from https://www.zamboanga.net

MANILA, Philippines — Court personnel have started cleaning the Zamboanga Hall of Justice as instructed by its Executive Judge.

Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said in a text message Monday that the Executive Judge also ordered the creation of a skeletal force to address the concerns of the litigants.

Marquez said they were hoping that hearings could resume by next week “subject to clearance from the military.

He said that while Zamboanga judges and court personnel were allowed by the military to resume their duties, “there is still no electricity in the building. Ninety percent of the glass windows have been shattered. Roof and walls have been damaged by mortars and gunfires.”

“Also, one has to walk at least a kilometer to reach the HOJ as vehicles are not allowed to go near the premises,” Marquez said.

The Zamboanga Hall of Justice is a four-story building in Sta. Barbara, one of the towns most affected by the conflict.

It was at the receiving end of gunfire exchanges since it was beside a Mosque where MNLF snipers were hiding.

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