12 Filipinos found guilty in 2013 Malaysia standoff

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Twelve Filipinos among a group of 14 accused in the 2013 Lahad Datu intrusion case were found guilty by the Malaysian High Court, The Malay Mail Online reported on Monday, July 25.

Aside from the 12 Filipinos, a  Malaysian was also found guilty by the court.

Nine of those convicted were also found guilty of warring against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a charge punishable by the death penalty or life in prison as well as a fine upon conviction. 

“They could have been sentenced to death but the judge decided on the lower penalty because there was no evidence they pulled the triggers or committed any murders,” lawyer N. Sivananthan said.

They are Philippine nationals:

• Atik Hussin Abu Bakar, 45
• Basad H. Manuel, 41
• Ismail Yasin, 76
• Virgilio Nemar Patulada alias Mohammad Alam Patulada, 52
• Salib Akhmad Emali, 63
• Al Wazir Osman, 61
• Tani Lahaddahi, 63
• Julham Rashid, 69
• Datu Amir Bahar Hushin Kiram, 53, the son of so-called Sultan Esmail Kiram

Of these 9, the following were also convicted of being members of a terrorist group: Datu Amir Bahar Hushin Kiram, Salib Akhmad Emali, Al Wazir Osman, Tani Lahaddahi, and Julham Rashid. The punishment for the crime is life imprisonment and a fine. 

Meanwhile, Malaysian local Abd Hadi Mawan, 52; Philippine national Timhar Hadil, 39, and his father Hadil Suhaili, 68 (who died on April 24 while detained) were also found guilty of being members of a terror group.

Filipina Norhaida Ibnahi was found guilty of harboring a person she knew was a terrorist group member. That offense is punishable by life imprisonment and a fine, or 20 years of imprisonment with a fine.

Justice Stephen Chung was expected to sentence the 13 on Tuesday after hearing their “plea in mitigation.” He was also expected to sentence some of those who pleaded guilty in February. (READ: Q and A: Lahad Datu situation) 

The assault, the most serious security crisis faced by Malaysia in years, led to a siege between the militants and Malaysian armed forces sent to root them out.

At least 70 people were killed over the 6-week ordeal. – with reports from the Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com