DOJ recommends no bail for Maute terror suspects

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) panel of prosecutors yesterday recommended no bail for 12 suspected members of the Maute terror group indicted on rebellion charges before the Cagayan de Oro City regional trial court. 

The DOJ identified the 12 respondents as Racma Macatuon Talib, student; Cosnia Talib, 63, housewife; Yosoph Taha Halil, 42; Sapacan Sabar Talib, 50, farmer, former barangay chairman; Mansawi Imam Gumobat, 46, farmer; Amerodin Capga Ameril, 42, farmer; Lambo Ampaso Ameril, 42, housewife; Huwarda Macatuon Talib, 30, housewife, all residents of Salvador town, Lanao del Norte; Sanabae Saliling Macatuon, 55, farmer; Dima Ampaso Ali, 50, farmer; Halil Saliling Ali, 30, tricycle driver, all from New Capitol, Marawi City; and Alanoden Macatuon Dimarugong, 24, driver of Barangay Bario, Marawi City.

The DOJ said the 13th suspect, Junaid Ampasao Dimarogong, alias Ameodin Ameril, who was earlier reported to be in critical condition, reportedly died in hospital.

Pagadian City policemen arrested the alleged Maute members who were being treated for various wounds and ailments at the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center, Chief Insp. Helen Galvez said.

The spokesperson for Region 9 police said the suspects escaped from Marawi City and arrived Friday at the hospital in Pagadian.

The Pagadian police turned over custody of the 12 arrested Maute group suspects to the military in Cagayan de Oro City.

Galvez said the 13 suspects were transported under tight security to the headquarters of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division where they are now detained.

The DOJ panel of prosecutors of the Centralized Prosecution Office of Lanao del Sur and Marawi City filed rebellion charges against the 12 accused under Article 134 in relation to Article 135 of the Revised Penal Code as amended by Republic Act no. 6968 (An Act Punishing the Crime of Coup d’etat).

It was reported that the police in Zamboanga del Sur earlier received information that a wounded resident from Marawi City was taken to the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center in Pagadian City. 

The police later learned that aside from the refugee there were 12 other people who all tested positive for gunpowder burns during the paraffin test. 

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Monday reiterated his appeal to the Supreme Court (SC) to allow the transfer of the cases and the trial of accused Maute group members to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City for security reasons.

In a one-page letter addressed to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno dated June 19, Aguirre again asked the SC that it designate the Taguig City regional trial court (RTC) as the trial court of all cases and incidents arising from the takeover of the Maute group of Marawi City.

He added that the Special Intensive Care Area (SICA) in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig should be designated as the detention facility for the apprehended members of the Maute group while their cases are being heard in the Taguig RTC.

To further ensure the “greater security” of the detainees, Aguirre also requested the high court to allow the conduct of the hearing of the cases at an appropriate venue inside SICA premises. 

 His request is anchored on the need to free the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel stationed in Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City from the additional task and concern of safeguarding the apprehended Maute group members and to enable them to focus fully and primarily in their involvement in the ongoing military operations to liberate Marawi City.  – With Roel Pareño