THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) on Thursday, June 15, said that the trial of Maute patriarch and three other companions’ cases to be held in this city is “a challenge in their security,” since Maute's father is considered as “high risk.”
DCPO spokesperson Ma. Teresita Gaspan said that they want the case of Cayamora Maute, 67, and his family to be moved to Manila for security reasons.
“It will take tedious maximum security exclusively for Cayamora and companion. Their travel alone going to the hearing would require many securities,” she said, adding that it would possibly impair other security personnel, who are supposedly deployed in other vital stations to be assigned to secure them.
There is also an imminent threat since their fellow rebels already know that the patriarch is in Davao City.
Gaspan said they are not discounting the possibility that the group's allied rebels will conduct retaliation or rescue plot for Cayamora.
They are just waiting for the fiscal to file the motion for the transfer of venue of the case to Manila. The DCPO will pass a letter to back that motion.
“It's up to the fiscal office kung mag motion ba sila (if they file a motion) to transfer of venue kasi isa sa ating i-consider ay (since we have to consider the) security, considering na high-risk ang accused so it's a long and tedious process,” she said.
Nevertheless, she said that Davao City police are prepared and equipped to secure the city against the security challenges posed by terrorists.
“We are ready and we are on top of every situation,” she said. (JCR)