Abu cases go to family court

A Pasig Regional Trial Court judge has transferred the cases filed against 75 suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members to a family court after finding out that three of the accused were minors when the crimes charged were committed.

Judge Leilie Acebo moved the kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges against the ASG members to Pasig RTC Branch 261, one of the four courts handling juvenile cases.

Acebo made the transfer after learning that three of the accused were minors when they allegedly abducted several students and teachers in Tumahubong, Basilan two years ago.

Orven Untalan, Acebo’s Clerk of Court, said that based on the birth certificates presented by the defense panel, three of the accused were below 18 years old when they were implicated in the incident.

Untalan added that with the transfer, Acebo would now only handle the separate case of murder and piracy filed against ASG leader Nasdzmil Sabdulla, also known as Kumander Global.

The accused were nabbed by the military amid the rash of kidnappings allegedly committed by the bandit group in Mindanao last year.

ASG has been linked to the Al Qaeda network of Saudi Arabian dissident Osama bin Laden, the primary suspect in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

The United States government has offered a $5 million reward for five ASG leaders, Amir Khadafi Abubakar Janjalin, alias Jimar Manalad Khadafi Montanio and Abu Muktar; Aldam Tilao alias Abu Sayaba; and Abu Ahmad Salayuddin; Hamsiraji Sali, alias Sitti Birkis, Jose Ramirez and Tibirkis; Jainal Antel Sali Jr., alias Abu Solaiman and Abu Solayman and Isnilon Totoni Hapilon, alias Abu Musab and Abu Tuan.

Court records indicate that the 75 accused in the Pasig court were also responsible for the early morning raid on the Pearl Farm Resort in Samal Island two years ago. Two resort employees were kiled in the attack and the bandits escaped on board speedboat taken from the resort.

The accused in the cases filed in the Pasig court are now detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan where Hector Janjalani, brother of Abu Sayaf leader Khadafi Janjalani, is also being held.