IBP MisOr: It‘s not safe to have special court in CDO to handle Maute cases

The Misamis Oriental Chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) is against the Supreme Court decision designating the Cagayan de Oro (CDO) Regional Trial Court as a special court to handle cases against members and sympathizers of the Maute terrorist group.

In a resolution dated June 8, 2017 and received by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on June 14, the IBP chapter pointed out that the safety and security of the lawyers, prosecutors, court officials, and employees would be at risk considering the proximity of Cagayan de Oro to Marawi City.

“There are relatives and families of Maute Group in Cagayan de Oro which might add outside pressure while the case would heard in the courts of Cagayan de Oro City,” the IBP Misamis Oriental Chapter said in its resolution.

The resolution was signed by all its officers Eddie C. Cuaresma (president), Cancio Nicanor M. Guibone (vice president), Katrina G. Mordeno (secretary), Kenneth O. Tamala (treasurer), Janeth J. Nuñez (auditor), Dexter B.Precioso (public relations officer); and directors Teresa Quiñal Blanco, Rey Jose P. Raagas, Gregorio Miguel H. Pallugna, Anna C. Caroz, and Jayfrancs D. Bago.

The chapter’s immediate past president was Raagas.

The IBP added that Cagayan de Oro RTC had no facility to handle the case considering it was gutted by fire in 2015.

“Considering the said limitations, the IBP Misamis Oriental Chapter is of the view that CDO is not prepared to accommodate the Maute case and instead, it should be heard in neutral areas and insulated from outside pressure or distraction like the courts in Cebu City or in Metro Manila,” the resolution stated.

The chapter’s position agrees with that of the DOJ. The DOJ on Tuesday, (June 13, 2017) sent a letter to the Supreme Court requesting that the trial of cases filed and to be filed against members and supporters of the Maute Group be done at the Taguig Regional Trial Court.

The DOJ also urged the high court to order the transfer of the arrested Maute Group members and sympathizers to Camp Bagong Diwa, which is only around one kilometer away from the Taguig Hall of Justice that houses the courts.

Currently, the Maute group members and supporters are detained at Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, in a letter to the Supreme Court, said the camp had no funds to support the needs of the detainees. /atm