Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has placed in the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) over 100 suspected terrorists listed in the arrest order issued by the martial law administrator.
“I ordered the issuance of the ILBO,” Aguirre told reporters yesterday.
However, the secretary see the limitations of the ILBO which only places these persons in a watchlist.
Because of this, Aguirre is considering setting up another kind of order which would enable Bureau of Immigration (BI) personnel to hold persons from leaving the country without the need for a Hold Departure Order (HDO) which only the courts can issue.
“Kinakailangan natin ng new name to warn our Bureau of Immigration officers or anybody na these are dangerous people,” he said.
Martial law administrator, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, issued Arrest Order No. 01 against 138 suspected members of local terrorist groups Maute and Abu Sayyaf.
Aguirre admitted he has not been told yet if there are any foreigners in the list but believes the BI should check on it.
“Doon sa arrest warrant na ’yun, dapat silang magimbestiga,” said Aguirre.
The justice secretary also created five panels of prosecutors to handle the prosecution of suspected members of the Maute group and other terrorist groups.
“We’re going to form five separate panels of prosecutors to hear the inquest and preliminary investigation of these cases, rebellion cases kahit mga common crimes,” said Aguirre.
He noted he has discussed the matter with Justice Undersecretary Reynante Orceo whom he tasked to oversee the prosecution of the terrorist members. (JEFFREY G. DAMICOG)