PAO chief seeks bail, new probe for 38 Kiram men

PAO chief Persida Acosta

MANILA, Philippines—The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) on Tuesday asked the Tawi-Tawi Regional Trial Court Branch 5 to allow the 38 alleged members of the Royal Sultanate Forces (RSF) to post bail on charges of inciting to war, among others.

PAO Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta, in a text message, told reporters that they are currently in Tawi-Tawi to file the motion.

Aside from posting bail, they also asked the court to order the Department of Justice to conduct a reinvestigation of the case.

The 38 has been charged with violation of Article 118 of the Revised Penal Code for Inciting to War or giving motives for reprisals, Illegal Possession of Firearms and violation of the election gun ban.

The 38 are currently detained at a naval facility in Tawi-Tawi.