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Sunday, September 3, 2017
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MANILA – The Department of National Defense respects the decision of the Department of Justice to dismiss the rebellion case filed against 59 suspected Maute group recruits arrested in Zamboanga City in July.
“There is no evidence of their being involved in the rebellion; hence, they were set free,” Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana said late Friday. “That is what our justice system is supposed to do, to let the innocent go and only punish those who have committed crimes.”
“The burden of proof is with the law enforcement, and failing to substantiate the allegation, the suspects are free to go. I agree with that decision,” he added.
His sentiments were echoed by Armed Forces spokesperson, Brigadier General Restituto Padilla.
“We fully respect the decision and will abide by it,” Padilla said. “It also shows the military is fully compliant with the provisions set forth in our Constitution regarding martial law and on the jurisdiction of our civil courts on cases we file. We are a professional organization committed to the rule of law.”
Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Friday confirmed that a panel of prosecutors had issued a resolution dismissing the charges filed by the military against the 59 respondents.
“The [Justice department] will not be a part of any injustice,” Aguirre said in a statement. “If in the assessment of our Panel of Prosecutors there is no basis to charge a person in court, such finding should be respected.”
Of the 59, 32 were arrested at a checkpoint in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay while the other 27 – four of them minors – were caught along Daisy Road in Guiwan, Zamboanga City. The arrests happened on July 25.
Authorities seized from the suspects military uniforms, boots and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) identification cards.
On Aug. 14, the respondents submitted their counter-affidavits, saying they were recruited to join the MNLF.
They said they were promised a P30,000 monthly salary and would eventually be integrated into the military. They tagged MNLF member Nur Supian as their recruiter. (PNA)
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