SC affirms death verdict on 7 MILF rebs

The Supreme Court has affirmed the death sentence of seven former guerrillas of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for kidnapping four treasure hunters in Sultan Kudarat in 1996.

In a 21-page resolution, the high tribunal upheld the decision of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 103 to impose capital punishment on Abdila Silongan, his relative Macapagal Silongan, Akmad Awal, Rolly Lamala, Sacaria Pamaaloy, Jumbrah Manap and Ramon Pasawilan.

The seven accused were also ordered to pay their victims Alexander Saldana, Americo Rejuso Jr., Erwin Tormis and Victor Cinco, a total of P200,000 in damages.

A total of 68 people were actually charged but only eight were brought to trial. The lower court acquitted one of the accused, Teddy Silongan, for lack of evidence.

The Supreme Court junked the argument made by the defense panel in claiming the kidnapping was "politically motivated" and that the accused MILF rebels should be charged with rebellion, which carries a lower penalty.

The accused argued that the lower court was "precluded" in charging them with kidnapping since the act was committed in furtherance of rebellion.

The high court said being members of a rebel group "does not necessarily mean that the crime of kidnapping was committed in furtherance of rebellion."

The Supreme Court noted the testimony of the victims in identifying their captors.

"The prosecution has established beyond reasonable doubt that the kidnapping was committed for the purpose of extorting ransom ... as to warrant the imposition of the death penalty," the high court said.

Court records showed the seven rebel returnees abducted the victims on March 16, 1996 at Sitio Kamangga, Barangay Laguilayan in Isulan town.

Saldana and his group earlier went to the area to check out reports that the rebels were selling gold nuggets in the area.

The victims later testified that they were led into an ambush where at least 15 armed men flagged down their van. The victims were subsequently tied up and blindfolded by the group and brought to a mountain hideout in Maganoy, Maguindanao.

Saldana claimed he was asked to write a letter to his wife asking for a P15 million ransom. Two of the victims – Tormis and Cinco – managed to escape while the rest were subsequently released after five months in captivity when ransom negotiations failed.

After the victims were released, the accused surrendered to avail of the government’s amnesty program.

The seven accused argued that they were lured into surrendering by the government only to end up being charged as common criminals. – With AFP