[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 14-2008, January 24, 2008 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 14-2008, January 24, 2008 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 14-2008, January 24, 2008 ]

TO: ALL JUDGES AND CLERKS OF COURT IN THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS

SUBJECT: MONTHLY REPORT ON STATUS OF CASES INVOLVING TERRORISM

Pursuant to the Resolution of the Court En Banc dated December 4, 2007 in A.M. No. 07-11-604-RTC, the Office of the Court Administrator was directed to monitor all cases involving terrorism, and see to it that the judges concerned shall set these cases for continuous trial in accordance with Section 48 of R. A. 9372 (Human Security Act).

Section 48 of the said Act provides "xxx the judge shall set the case for continuous trial on a daily basis from Monday to Friday or other short- term trial calendar so as to ensure speedy trial."

In this connection, you are hereby directed to SUBMIT to this Office thru the Court Management Office, a report on the cases involving terrorism stating in complete details the latest status thereof on or before February 15, 2008. Thereafter, a monthly report on the status of the cases shall be submitted on or before the tenth day of the succeeding month.

In determining the cases involving terrorism, Sec. of R.A. 9372 is hereby quoted for your information:

"SEC. 3. TERRORISM.- Any person who commits an act punishable under any of the following provisions of the Revised Penal Code:

a. Article 122 (Piracy in General and Mutiny in the High Seas or

in the Philippine Waters);

b. Article 134 (Rebellion or Insurrection);

c. Article 134-a (Coup d'Etat), including acts committed by private persons;

d. Article 248 (Murder);

e. Article 267 (Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention);

f. Article 324 (Crimes Involving Destruction), or under

1)Presidential decree No. 1613 (The Law on Arson;

2) Republic Act No. 6969 (Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990);

3) Republic Act 5207 (Atomic Energy Regulatory and Liability Act of 1968);

4) Republic Act No. 6235 (Anti-Hijacking Law);

5) Presidential Decree No. 532 (Anti-Piracy and Anti-Highway Robbery Law of 1974; and

6) Presidential Decree No. 1866, as amended (Decree Codifying the Laws on Illegal and Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Dealing in, Acquisition or Disposition of Firearms, Ammunitions or Explosives)

thereby sowing and creating a condition of widespread and extraordinary fear and panic among the populace, in order to coerce the government to give in to an unlawful demand shall be guilty" of the crime of terrorism and shall suffer the penalty of forty (40) years of imprisonment, without the benefit of parole as provided for under Act No. 4103, otherwise known as the Indeterminate Sentence Law, as amended."

For strict compliance.

January__ 24 __, 2008.

ZANAIDA N. ELEPAÑO

Court Administrator