MANILA: One of the eight Filipinos charged with terrorism in Sabah admitted having been paid to join the followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, according to Malaysia’s state news agency Bernama.
Hooland Kalbi made the admission in the Badjao dialect before judge P Ravinthran, Bernama said. But the judge told the interpreter to tell the accused to stop speaking as his words would only be recorded after he had obtained a lawyer.
Another Filipino Timhar Hadir told the court that he entered Malaysia in February on an international passport. He was also prevented from saying more without consulting his lawyer. Another accused charged with the same offence was Habil Suhaili, in his 60s, Bernama said.
It said it took the accused sometime to understand the charges, which were read to him several times in Suluk. The report said Habil did not commit the offence, but was told by the judge that his plea would not be recorded.
The first accused, Atik Hussein Abu Bakar, who also spoke in Badjao, asked the court to explain the charges.
The other four accused – Lin Mad Salleh, Basad Manuel, Kadir Uyung and Lating Tiong – said they had nothing to say.
Atik Hussein and Basad are being charged with engaging in terrorism and waging war against the Malaysian king. They face the death penalty.
Lin is charged with engaging in terrorism, while Kadir and Lating are charged with protecting the terrorist group. The accused were not granted bail.
The case will be heard on April 12 with Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail vowing to ensure that all eight would have legal representation, Malaysia’s Star Online report said.
As Kuala Lumpur continues to deny access to Filipinos detained in connection with the violence in Sabah, President Aquino vowed legal assistance to the accused. “The legal assistance we have been giving is automatic, regardless of what case our fellow Filipino is facing abroad, and it doesn’t matter whether we believe in their cause or not,” Aquino said in Naga City.
“But we have an obligation to protect our rights, and the agency that is focused on that issue is the Department of Foreign Affairs, assisted by the Department of Justice,” Aquino added.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario has instructed the Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur to find out the identities and condition of the Filipinos.
“Upon the Secretary of Foreign Affairs’ instruction, the Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur is working on its access to the reported eight Filipinos charged with terrorism in Sabah to find out their identities, their personal condition and the charges filed,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said last Thursday.
He said Malaysia has not acted yet on the Philippines’ request for full access to the Kiram followers detained in Malaysia.
In Basilan, many evacuees from Sabah have refused to come out for fear of being criminally charged along with followers of the sultanate, officials said.
Basilan provincial administrator Tahira Ismael said only 113 of the estimated 400 returnees have so far availed of assistance being offered by authorities.
She said the evacuees in hiding are afraid they might suffer the same fate as the 38 members of the “royal sultanate force” intercepted, detained and charged in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
Charged with inciting war, illegal possession of firearms and violation of the election gun ban, the 38 followers of Kiram are detained at a Philippine Navy station in Batu-Batu, Panglima Sugala town in Tawi-Tawi. A P6.2m bail has been recommended for the temporary release of the accused.
Tawi-Tawi provincial police director Senior Superintendent Joselito Salido said the situation in the area had normalised. But provincial board member Algarad Lipae said many people had not reported for work or gone back to their usual business for fear of being implicated in the Sabah incursion.
The US embassy has distanced itself from the Sabah crisis, optimistic that the Philippines and Malaysia could resolve it.
Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr said: “This is not something we are involved in and we do not seek to be involved in any way.”
THE PHILIPPINE STAR
