2 ‘Royal Army’ men post bail

Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines -Two of the 38 alleged members of the Sulu’s Royal Security Forces have already posted bail.

Court records showed that Alhabsi Bantunan and Ernesto Sambas posted P82,000 each for their temporary liberty.

Bantunan, Sambas and 36 others are facing charges for violation of Article 118 of the Revised Penal Code for Inciting to War and Giving Motives for Reprisals, Illegal Possession of Firearms and violation of the Election Gun Ban.

The Tawi-Tawi Regional Trial Court has reduced the bail for the accused by 50 percent from P164,000 to P82,000 each.

The 38 were the first batch of alleged supporters of the Sultanate of Sulu in connection with their alleged intrusion in Sabah.

They were intercepted in 3 separate incidents off the seas of Tawi-Tawi by the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard. Cached of firearms were allegedly confiscated after fleeing where clashes had erupted since March 1 due to Sultanate of Sulu’s followers attempt to reclaim the disputed territory.

The 38 accused were transferred from the naval facility in Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi detention court.