The Mindanao State University (MSU) – College of Law made its first participation in the National Moot Court Competition (NMCC) on International Humanitarian Laws last October 18-22, 2021.
The NMCC is an annual competition designed to promote understanding of the role of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in humanitarian issues among law students. The winner shall represent the Philippines in the Red Cross Competition International Rounds hosted by Hong Kong Red Cross in March 2022.
The MSU College of Law was represented by Charity Gene Abugan (4th Year) and Gabriel Esporsado (3rd Year) as counsels along with Nasrullah Macalimbon (4th Year) as researcher/alternate.
They were faced with a problem involving the determination of the criminal liability of Major Lydia Rodarte-Quayle of the 2nd Royal Bravo Infantry Regiment for war crimes. The team prepared their memorials for the prosecution and defense under the guidance of Usec. Zed Abantas and Dean Annabelle Mindalano as coaches, and the help of the researchers: Celina Bautista, Christian Timonera, James, Jerusalem, Janodin Marohombsar, Jefferson Dela Cruz, Reyz Fausto, and Rohanimah Guro.
Despite it being the first moot court competition of the college, the team reached the quarterfinals as defense counsels with representatives from the University of San Agustin as a prosecutor for the accused.
MSU College of Law gracefully concluded its run as a quarterfinalist in the prestigious national competition, a feat for the University, and an indication of a remarkable future for the mooting culture in the College of Law.
Rohanimah Guro or Ace worked as a local producer for Al Jazeera English’s Fork the System Series. She was also featured in The Stream of the same network. Ace was the translator for Channel News Asia’s documentary Get Real: Escape from Marawi. Prior to pursuing law school, Ace briefly served as a writer/volunteer for the International Organization for Migration of the United Nations. She is one of the Associate Editors in The Nexus.
