‘Transfer Abu cases to Metro Manila’

Citing security reasons, Zam—boanga City Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat asked the Supreme Court yesterday to transfer the trial of suspected Abu Sayyaf members and supporters from the city to Metro Manila.

In a seven-page urgent petition, Lobregat said Zamboanga City residents fear that the suspects’ presence in their community "will encourage, foster or result in the spillover of their criminal operations."

Earlier, the High Court transferred 11 criminal cases against the accused from Basilan to Zam—boanga City due to lack of prosecutors and judges in the island-province.

She complained that the accused’s recent arraignment "unnecessarily joepardized and imperiled the generally peaceful and secure condition (of the city)."

She added they were not even informed when the cases were transferred to the city. — Delon Porcalla