The Cagayan De Oro courts have granted the request of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to suspend the proceedings in the rebellion cases filed before the Cagayan De Oro court against members and supporters of the Maute terror group.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Thursday said the motion filed by the panel of prosecutors, which was granted by the court, sought the suspension of arraignment of all the accused pending action of the Supreme Court (SC) on its request for transfer of the trial and detention of accused to Taguig City.
“We have to wait for the Supreme Court action on our request for transfer of the cases to Taguig City because if that is granted, the cases would move faster since the proceedings will start with the same court and there will be no need for transfer of the case while the hearing is already ongoing,” he said.
The SC designated CDO courts as special court to handle cases filed against the Maute Group members and supporters.
But the DOJ sought a reconsideration, citing security risk due to CDO’s proximity to Marawi and Lanao Del Sur, the hometown of most of the Maute members.
“I hope they approve it soon. The situation there (in CDO) is becoming more critical as more Maute members are being arrested and subject to inquest. We really need to have the proceedings here in Metro Manila where facilities are conducive,” he appealed.
The DOJ already filed a case for rebellion against several arrested members and supporters of Maute – including Cayamora Maute and Ominta Romato Maute, alias Farhana, parents of the Maute brothers who led the Islamic State-inspired group behind the attack in Marawi City last May 23.
Also charged with rebellion before the Cagayan De Oro RTC were former Marawi City Mayor Fajad Salic; Mohammad Maute, alias Abu Jadid, alleged bomb maker of Maute Group; and Faridah Pangompig Romato, Aljadid Pangompig Romato and Abdulralman Dimakuta Sevad.
Earlier this week, the two arrested Abu Sayyaf members believed to have provided medical treatment to wounded terrorists fighting government troops – Jadzrie Harad Saabdula and Jamal Kalib Jamil – were also indicted for the same crime.