MANILA, Philippines — The Taguig Regional Trial Court has found 17 members of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group guilty of kidnapping and serious illegal detention for the 2000 abduction of 19 foreigners and two Filipinos from a diving resort on Sipadan Island, Malaysia.
Based on a 157-page decision, Taguig RTC Branch 153 said the terrorists are guilty of 21 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom, and sentenced each of them to reclusion perpetua for each count.
They were ordered to pay a total of P300,000 for exemplary and moral damages to each of the 21 victims, all with interest at the rate of six percent per annum from the date of finality of judgment until fully paid.
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“In fine, based on the evidence presented, there is no question that accused and their cohorts were complicit in the joint purpose and design of the kidnapping of the hostages for the purpose of extorting ransom money from them or from the their respective families and government,” the trial court ruled.
Meanwhile, the court acquitted and ordered the immediate release of the other accused: Manggona Malili, Abdulkahil Malla, Abdul Mubeen Sakandal, Ahiri Tada, and Radzmar Sangkula Jul.
On the other hand, the case was terminated against Jairon Ambot, Galib Andang a.k.a. Commander Robot, Nadzmi Saabtual, Alhamser Manatad Limbong, Abdurasid Banjeng Lim, Almusal Mawadi, Benhar Isni, Ibrahim Upao, Abraham Arany Jumdaini, Mariano Lomarda, Aldemar Saiyari, Yusof Saddai, and Mohammad Taib Amil due to their deaths.
They were killed during an attempted jailbreak in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City, in 2005, also known as the Bicutan siege.
READ: 9 Abus in Sulu surrender to Army; 1 tagged in Sipadan abductions
The court gave weight to the testimony of the victims, which include Roland Ullah who positively identified all the accused as among those who held him captive for three years from 2000 until he was able to escape in 2003.
The prosecution also presented two former members of the Abu Sayyaf, identified as Omar Pael and Julhasre Abtahi as witnesses against the accused.
The two admitted their participation in the Sipadan incident by acting as a lookout for the hostages but denied the actual kidnapping of the 21 victims.
“From the foregoing, it is evident that the kidnappers, the herein accused, acted in concert in kidnapping and detaining the hostages,” the decision read.
“While others took active participation in the taking of the victims, while others detained and guarded their actions, demonstrated a carefully laid out plan to execute the crimes charged,” it added.