Three Justice Zones (JZs) will be launched simultaneously on Sept. 3 in three cities in Mindanao to address effectively cases involving online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).
A justice zone is where judges, prosecutors, law enforcers and representatives of local government units (LGUs) meet on common interests, coordination, and information sharing in the dispensation of justice.
Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City, and Ozamis City were chosen as sites of the JZs because of “the highest number of anti-OSAEC operations (in the three cities) from 2020 to 2023,” the Supreme Court’s (SC) press briefer stated.
The three cities in Mindanao “also have the highest number of convictions for trafficking in persons, OSAEC and other related laws from 2003 to present,” it said.
The SC, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) are the prime movers of the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) which sets up JZs. The JSCC was created in 2010.
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, and Local Government Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos Jr. will lead the launching of the JZs.
A JZ is a venue “where key programs relating to the delivery of justice are in place to maximize coordination among the different agency actors to address the perennial issue of delay and the greater problem of accountability,” Chief Justice Gesmundo had earlier said.
The three JZs will be the 14th, 15th, and 16th in the country. Thirteen JZs had been set up in Quezon City, Cebu City, Davao City, Angeles City, Bacolod City, Naga City, Calamba City, Balanga City, Baguio City, Zamboanga City, Tagaytay City, Puerto Princesa City, and Dagupan City.