Pasig court convicts 66 Abu Sayyaf men behind Basilan abduction

MANILA, Philippines — The Pasig City Regional Trial Court has convicted 66 leaders and members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) for the abduction of 52 people, mostly teachers and students in Basilan in 2000.

In its 391-page decision, the accused were convicted of several counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention and were meted the penalty of up to 40 years imprisonment without the possibility of parole for each count.

They were also ordered to jointly and severally pay each of the victims P75,000 as civil indemnity ex delicto, P75,000 as moral damages, and P30,000 as exemplary damages.

The court said 29 of the accused are guilty of 52 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention. One was acquitted of the eight counts but was found guilty of 44 counts.

Meanwhile, 10 Sayyaf men accused were found guilty of 41 counts of serious illegal detention while 12 were convicted for 18 counts. Three of the accused were found guilty of 11 counts and 11 were found guilty of seven counts of the same offense.

Abu Sayyaf leaders Khadaffy Janjalani, Abu Sabaya, and Isnilon Hapilon were among those originally charged. The three, however, died in various military encounters. Hapilon died last year at the height of the Marawi siege.

READ: Lorenzana confirms Isnilon Hapilon, Omar Maute killed

Also originally charged was Hector Janjalani who is currently at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig. However, his name does not appear as among the convicted members and leaders.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong said the names of some of the accused were redacted because there is another case up for promulgation after Christmas.

The kidnapping incident in 2000 involves teachers and students from the Sinangkapan Elementary School and the Tumahubong Elementary School. /ee