Metro Manila, Philippines — Seventeen Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leaders and members who were involved in the Sipadan kidnapping have been found guilty after over 20 years.
Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 153 issued its 157-page decision dated Oct. 16, in which it ruled that the 17 ASG members are guilty on 21 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom.
The 17 ASG members who were found guilty are:
+ Alkaiser Baladji
+ Omar Galo
+ Muner Jumalla
+ Najer Ibrahim
+ Jahid Susukan
+ Hilarion Santos
+ Ben Najar Abraham
+ Said Massud
+ Hajid Elhano
+Jundam Jawad
+ Aljunib Hashim
+ Michael Pajiji
+ Alhadi Aylani
+ Dhad Suraidi
+ Julkipli Salih
+ Saltimar Sali
+ Redendo Dellosa
They are sentenced to a reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment for each count of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom.
The court also ordered them to jointly pay the 21 victims P100,000 as civil indemnity, P100,000 as moral damages, and P100,000 as exemplary damages.
In April 2000, the ASG members abducted 21 individuals of various nationalities, including two Filipinos, from a resort in Sipadan Island, Malaysia. The victims were taken by boat and were held hostage for months in Sulu, Philippines. The ASG extorted money from the government and the hostages’ kin.
