CA affirms conviction of Dos Palmas kidnappers

From the Sun Star (Apr 19): CA affirms conviction of Dos Palmas kidnappers

ELEVEN members of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf will continue to suffer in jail for abducting 20 people including American couple Martin and Gracia Burnham in Dos Palmas resort in Palawan nearly 12 years ago.

The Court of Appeals (CA) said Wednesday the Pasig City Regional Trial Court branch 69 did not commit any error in late 2007 when it penalized members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) with 20 counts of life imprisonment for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom.

Convicted are Bas Ismael, Bashier Ordonez, Sonny Asali, Margani Iblong Hapilon, Radzmar Sangkula, Kamar Ilias Ismael Jaafar, Guillermo Salcedo, Haber Akimuddin Asari, Tuting Hannoh while the petitions of Alzen Jandul, Daud Baru were junked for failure to file appellant’s brief, which contains arguments why the lower court ruling must be reversed.

Set to be freed is Marvin Vincent Rueca, who was acquitted because he was able to prove that he was working at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in Manila during the abduction.

The appellate court also required the ASG members to pay P5.2 million to the victims and families of the kidnapping incident, which cost the lives of Martin, Guillermo Sobero, Eldren Morales, Armando Bayona and Sonny Dacquer.

To recall, the ASG assaulted the resort on May 27, 2001 and brought with them people to Basilan through speedboats.

Businessman Reghis Romero was freed on June 2, 2001 in Lamitan, Basilan after paying ransom while Gracia was rescued by soldiers on June 7, 2002 in Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2013/04/19/ca-affirms-conviction-dos-palmas-kidnappers-278372