DOJ wraps up probe on 3 suspected Abu Sayyaf members

Marmin Magdirul, Isah Ikkhang and Ismael Abdulla. PHOTO BY TETCH TORRES-TUPAS

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has wrapped up the formal probe on the criminal case filed against three suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members.

Assistant State Prosecutor George Yarte said the case will be submitted for resolution once lawyers from the Public Attorneys’ Office (PAO) submit a birth certificate of one of the respondents who claimed to be 17 year old, a minor.

Arrested are Marmin Magdirul, Isah Ikkhang and Ismael Abdulla. They are facing a complaint for rebellion under the Revised Penal Code. Complainant is the Western Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The military claimed that Abdullah is already 18 years old but the respondent told the public lawyers that he is a year younger.

“The regularity of apprehension will stay until otherwise proven by the birth certificate,” Yarte said during the inquest proceeding Thursday. The respondent was given up to Friday, Aug. 18, 2017 to submit the birth certificate.

The three were arrested during a military operation as part of the implementation of the martial law in Mindanao.

Complainant said the three were among the 30 Abu Sayyaf members who figured in a clash with soldiers in Barangay Pang in Kalingalan Caluang town, Sulu.

Troops belonging to the Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 under Lieutenant Colonel Henry Espinosa were conducting focused military operations when they encountered the bandits.

AFP presented the explosives and firearms seized from the bandits. PHOTO BY TETCH TORRES-TUPAS

Two Marines were killed while another soldier was wounded during the encounter. Five Abu Sayyaf members, on the other hand, were killed.

The AFP presented to the DOJ as evidence the explosives and firearms seized from the bandits, including two M16 rifles, an M14 rifle, a Garand rifle, a KG-9 sub-marine gun, a home-made Cal .50 sniper rifle and a shotgun. JE