DOJ forms panel to handle, prosecute Marawi siege cases

DOJ Department Order No. 348-E creates Task Force Marawi, a panel of prosecutors tasked to investigate and prosecute cases related to the siege of Marawi City and crimes committed in areas under martial law. INQUIRER.net contributed photo

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has created a task force composed of prosecutors to handle cases related to the siege of Marawi City to speed up the proceedings against the extremist group members.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II signed on July 28, 2017, Department Order No. 348-E creating the Task Force Marawi, a 30-member panel of prosecutors, to investigate and prosecute rebellion cases related to the Marawi attack, as well as “common crimes” committed in areas under martial law.

READ: DOJ forming panel of prosecutors to handle cases vs Maute members

“Task Force Marawi shall have primary jurisdiction to hear on inquest proceedings, or preliminary investigation proceedings if applicable, all criminal complaints for rebellion, including all the crimes and felonies related thereto,” the DOJ order stated.

“Provided that, in other common crimes in areas declared under martial law, such as but not limited to, cases of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, the Task Force shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the local prosecution office concerned,” it added.

The Task Force is headed by Prosecutor General Victor Sepulvida and assisted by Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon and Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter L. Ong.

The two state prosecutors have handled several high-profile cases, including Maguindanao Massacre case (Fadullon) and the case filed against Senator Leila de Lima (Ong).

In the copy of the order obtained by INQUIRER.net, the task force is composed of two divisions each led by Fadullon and Ong. Each division has three panels composed of four prosecutors.

The Task Force took over the duties and functions of the Centralized Prosecution Office (CPO) Panels of Prosecutors based in Cagayan de Oro City, which used to handle the cases. JPV