SC approves remote trial for suspected terrorists

MANILA, Philippines — Members of terrorist groups Maute, Abu Sayyaf and New People’s Army (NPA) who are in jail will no longer need to appear in courts and stand trial. 

Tele-hearing, approved by the Supreme Court (SC), allows the suspects to face the courts from their detention facilities, mostly in Davao City.

The pilot testing of the video conference will also apply to detainees who are diagnosed with grave and serious medical conditions in Davao.

In its final session presided by Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro on Oct. 9 prior to her retirement, the SC approved to test the latest judicial reform project, upon the recommendation of Court Administrator Midas Marquez.

As approved by the SC, a 100-foot monopole tower with the necessary equipment will be built in the Davao Hall of Justice and will be connected to the three jail facilities in the city.

According to Marquez, three courtrooms will be equipped for the pilot implementation of the tele-hearings.

“In order to ensure that the accused’s constitutional rights are adequately protected, the counsel of the accused shall be present with the accused in the same designated room in the jail facility throughout the duration of the tele-hearing,” Marquez explained.

The tele-hearing program was approved upon request of Davao City Jail Warden Supt. Grace Taculin, who cited security threats by the transportation of “high-risk detainees” with terrorism cases and with contagious diseases.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Davao City manages three city jail facilities with an aggregate population of about 4,000 detainees.

Hundreds of members of Maute, Abu Sayyaf, NPA and Moro Islamic Liberation Front are currently detained in Davao jails.

Warning vs recruitment

Meanwhile, the Army’s 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division (7th ID) yesterday warned parents of “intensified covert recruitment” reportedly conducted by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in schools and universities.

At least three recruited students have died during clashes with the military in various Northern Luzon areas since last year, the 7th ID added.

In a statement yesterday, the 7th ID noted reports showing that the CPP-NPA has already infiltrated 18 higher education institutions, where students have been recruited to become “regular members of the communist organization.”

“It is not surprising that the youth are the target recruits of communist terrorist groups as they are idealistic, vulnerable to radicalism and easy to train,” the statement said. – With Ding Cervantes