Negros Oriental RTC judge volunteers to handle courts in Marawi

CEBU, Philippines - Judge Cresencio Tan Jr. of the Regional Trial Court-branch 30 in Negros Oriental had volunteered to be sent to Mindanao, particularly in Marawi City, to help implement the directive of the Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno for all courts in Mindanao to continue operating amid the declaration of martial law in that island.

Tan told The Freeman he volunteered for duty in the Marawi courts for 60 days, but was denied for reasons of age.

As head of the Technical Administrative Service, the judge was asked to get volunteer lawyers and doctors to be called for active duty for 60 days and be deployed in Marawi City. He said they needed at least five to ten lawyers and doctors to volunteer.

On the declaration of martial law over Mindanao, Tan said the president has access to all intelligence information that ordinary citizens do not have, so he knows what is best for the country.

Filipinos should support the president instead. "We only have one president, we are one country, we are Filipinos, so we should support him as law-abiding citizen. If we have not done anything wrong, there is nothing to be afraid of," said the judge.

On possible human rights violations, Tan believed that it can be addressed, saying that the Department of National Defense had issued a directive to all military personnel to observe the human rights of individuals in affected areas. (FREEMAN)