Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 1) — Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre has issued on Thursday an immigration lookout bulletin on over 130 alleged members and supporters of the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups.
The same people are on a list of an arrest order directed by martial law administrator, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
READ: More than 100 Maute and Abu Sayyaf members ordered arrested: Justice Dept.
Aguirre is also mulling drafting a detention order similar to a hold departure order, which can only be issued by the courts, to prevent individuals from leaving the country.
“Kinakailangan natin ng new name to warn our Bureau of Immigration officers or anybody na these are dangerous people…that they are subject to arrest immediately,” Aguirre said.
[Translation: We need a new name to warn the Bureau of Immigration officers or anybody that these are dangerous people…that they are subject to arrest immediately.]
Earlier, Lorenzana issued Arrest Order No. 1, which directs the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and National Bureau of Investigation to arrest and investigate the people on the list accused of rebellion.
Among the crimes listed in the order are “killing, kidnapping, [perpetuating] bombings in Marawi City and some parts of Mindanao, [and] sowing terror to the populace.”
The Justice Secretary said the arrest order could be enforced even outside Mindanao.
“Ang dapat po nating alalahanin na ang crime of rebellion is a continuing offense. Tuluy-tuloy po ‘yan kaya kahit nasan ka pwede kang arestuhin,” Aguirre said.
[Translation: What we should remember is that crime of rebellion is a continuing offense. It’s continuous so they could be arrested wherever they are.]
The Defense Secretary agrees with Aguirre, assuring the public of the Department’s efforts.
“I believe that they can still be arrested kasi hot pursuit ‘yan at saka continuing naman ‘yung crime of rebellion eh. So wherever they go, they go to Visayas or Luzon, we will arrest them wherever we find them,” Lorenzana said.
[Translation: I believe that they can still be arrest because it’s hot pursuit and the crime of rebellion is continuous. So wherever they go, whether it be Visayas or Luzon, we will arrest them wherever we find them.]
Within three days of an arrest, the order states law enforcement agencies should investigate and file a case at the Justice Department.
In line with this, Aguirre is creating five panels of prosecutors with five members each, which would handle the inquest and preliminary investigation.
