Cagayan de Oro lawyers buck SC order

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) chapter in Misamis Oriental has objected to the order of the Supreme Court to transfer to Cagayan de Oro City the hearing of criminal cases filed against members of the terrorist Maute group.

The lawyers’ group on Wednesday sent to the Department of Justice its resolution expressing concern over the high court’s June 6 resolution, which rejected the request of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II for the creation of special courts outside of Mindanao to try cases in connection with the Marawi City siege.

“(We) strongly oppose the transfer of trial of (cases against) Maute (members) in the courts of Cagayan de Oro City,” the local IBP chapter said in its single-page resolution dated June 8.

“Cagayan de Oro City is not prepared to accommodate the Maute cases,” it added.