DOJ welcomes transfer to Taguig of Maute cases

Justice Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre II. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

Saying it will address a lot of security problems, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision to transfer the Maute-related cases from Cagayan de Oro to Taguig City Regional Trial Court.
READ: SC allows transfer of Maute cases from CDO to Taguig court

Aguirre initially requested the transfer of all the cases of Maute terrorists to either Visayas or Metro Manila court to resolve a lot of safety concerns. However,  the high court issued a ruling designating a regional trial court in Cagayan De Oro to handle the cases against Maute members and supporters.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) chief eventually asked the SC to reconsider its decision, this time, specifically requesting the transfer to Taguig. He reasoned the problematic proximity of Cagayan de Oro to war-torn Marawi and Lanao del Norte.

“It will solve a lot of problems like where the detainees are to be confined and whether we are going to rent a new place to hold the inquests and conduct preliminary investigations,” Aguirre said in a text message.

The high court also said that the Maute members and supporters be detained at a special facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, also in Taguig. Ma. Daphne Crystal Umali, INQUIRER.net trainee / JPV/rga