DOJ to fast-track Maute members’ inquest

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II yesterday ordered a panel of prosecutors in Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City to speed up the inquest proceedings against an alleged cousin of the Maute brothers and other members of the terrorist group who are under arrest.

Aguirre issued the order after learning that Mohammad Noaim Maute, who uses the alias Abu Jadid and is said to be a cousin of the Maute brothers, was arrested last Thursday.

“The arrest of Mohammad Noaim Maute is a very welcome development in our efforts to bring to justice the perpetrators behind the attacks on the people of Marawi City. Only by successfully prosecuting the responsible parties can we vindicate the people of Marawi City particularly the innocent victims,” Aguirre said in a statement.

“The perpetrators of the dastardly attacks on Marawi City must be brought to justice, no questions there,” he pointed out.

In his order, Aguirre said he wanted the prosecutors in CDO to “immediately conduct the inquest proceedings and to expedite their prosecution and hopefully, their conviction.”

He also reiterated his appeal to the Supreme Court (SC) to transfer the hearing of the cases against the Maute members from Cagayan de Oro City to Taguig City.

“On a related matter, the arrest of Mohammad Maute in Macasandig in Cagayan de Oro further justifies our request to the Supreme Court for the transfer of the hearing of these cases from Cagayan de Oro courts,” Aguirre said.

“Imagine, one of the personalities involved in the Marawi takeover already in Cagayan de Oro City! This fact justifies the collective fear of our prosecutors and everyone who will be involved in the prosecution of these cases,” Aguirre added. – With Jaime Laude