Court grants 38 Kiram followers’ bid to answer raps filed vs them

RSF identification card. JULIE ALIPALA / INQUIRER MINDANAO

MANILA, Philippines—The Tawi-Tawi Regional Trial Court Branch 5 on Monday granted the request of the 38 alleged members of the Sultanate of Sulu’s Royal Army Security Force (RSF) to conduct a formal investigation in connection with the criminal case filed against them two weeks ago.

The accused, who are detained at a naval facility in Panglima Sugala, are facing cases of 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 court ruled that the accused should be given the opportunity to answer the allegations filed against them.

The 38 accused have been intercepted in three separate incidents by the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard off the seas of Tawi-Tawi. They were the first batch of the RSF members to face charges in the Philippines following their incursion in Sabah over the Sultanate’s territorial claim.