ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 14, 2013) – Eleven more Filipinos with links to the Sultanate of Sulu have been charged with terrorism in Malaysia for waging war with the King – Yang di-Pertuan Agong – bringing to 19 the total number of Filipinos detained on similar charges. They face the death penalty if proven guilty.
The identities of those charged were Hussin Abu Bakar, Basad Manuel, Lin Mad Salleh, Holland Kalbi, Habil Suhaili, Timhar Hadir, Kadir Uyung, Masir Aidin, Ismail Yasin, Anwar Salib Akhmad, Binhar Salib Akhma, Lating Tiong Virgilio Nemar Patulada, Salib Akhmad Emali, Al Wazir Osman, Hadi Mawan, Tani Lahad Dahi, Julham Rashid and Aiman Radie.
They would be represented by lawyer Datuk N. Sivananthan.
All the accused were linked by authorities to the group of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, whose 200 followers clashed with security forces in Sabah in March following a deadly standoff that started in February when he sent his brother Raja Muda Agbimuddin to Lahad Datu town to exert determination and historical claim over the oil-rich island, just several nautical miles off the Filipino province of Tawi-Tawi.
Malaysia rejected the claims and mounted a deadly assault that killed over 60 of the sultan’s men and detained more than 400 Filipinos – suspected of aiding Raja Muda Agbimuddin – under a strict anti-terrorism law. Ten Malaysian policemen and soldiers were also killed in the fighting.
A Malaysian policeman, Corporal Hassan Ali Basri, was also arrested for allegedly failing to providing information about Sultan Jamalul’s group. Hassan pleaded not guilty during Friday’s court trial. He was charged under Section 130m of the Penal Code which carries a sentence of imprisonment which may extend to seven years or a fine or both. (Mindanao Examiner)
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