MANILA, Philippines — A Zamboanga court has convicted a member of the Abu Sayyaf for three counts of financing terrorism.
In a decision promulgated on April 4, the Zamboanga City Regional Trial Court Branch 33 found Norkisa Omar Asnalul, also known as Norkisa Omar Ibno, guilty of violating Section 7 of Republic Act 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act.
Asnalul was sentenced to four years and 10 months in prison after the court approved a plea bargaining agreement.
Asnalul was arrested in December 2023 for receiving money from foreign sources and cooperating with fellow Abu Sayyaf member Myrna Mabanza in moving funds for terrorist activities.
She was indicted on allegations of facilitating the transfer of funds for the bandit group in 2015.
During arraignment, Asnalul pleaded not guilty on all three charges.
She filed a motion to enter into a plea bargaining deal on Feb. 29.
Under the agreement, Asnalul withdrew her not guilty plea and instead pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of acting as an accessory in terror financing.
With the plea bargain, the court reduced her prison term two degrees lower than the prescribed punishment for the principal.
“The court finds no legal impediment to the plea bargaining agreement entered into by the prosecution and the defense, particularly considering that the lower offense to which the accused wishes to now plead guilty to is penalized under the same law as that for which she is originally charged,” the ruling read.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla welcomed the decision, saying the conviction strengthens the government’s resolve not to give in to ”unlawful demands.”