Monday, July 23, 2018

Abu Sayyaf member who fled the Philippines gets 13 years' jail in Malaysia

From The Star Online (Jul 23): Abu Sayyaf member who fled the Philippines gets 13 years' jail in Malaysia
 
An Abu Sayyaf member convicted by a Philippines court for attempted murder and kidnapping, has found that the arm of the law is long indeed.

Basilan-based Filipino Marsan Ajilu @ Anuar Mohamad Asnalul, who fled the Philippines to start a new life in Sabah, was jailed 13 years by the High Court here on Monday.

The 32-year-old, who is currently serving a six-month jail term for entering the state illegally, is responsible for kidnappings in southern Philippines and fought with the military there.
 
Justice Dr Alwi Abdul Wahab on Monday ordered the custodial sentence to run consecutively.

Marsan admitted being a member of the militant group in Sabah between July 31, 2012 and March 15 this year.

The father of four was convicted under Section 130KA of the Penal Code, which provides for life imprisonment and a fine, for being a member of a terrorist group.
 
According to the facts of the case, Marsan was arrested by police on March 15 at the Kepayan state police headquarters here at 10.30am.

On March 20, state police requested a background check on him.

They received a reply six days later, confirming that Marsan was a member of the Abu Sayyaf group with two warrants of arrest issued by a Philippines court for attempted murder and kidnapping for ransom.

The Philippines government also confirmed that Marsan was an Abu Sayaff member in Basilan, southern Philippines, and acted as a “hunter” for kidnap-for-ransom in Zamboanga City.

The court was also told that Marsan had acquired skills in the use of various types of firearms and was involved in a series of battles with the Philippines army in the southern province.

Police investigations also revealed that Marsan admitted to being a member of the Abu Sayyaf group since 2010 and had fought against the Philippines army three times since 2016.

He also underwent shooting training using the M16 rifle in the same year.

In mitigation, Marsan urged for a lenient sentence, saying that he was remorseful for his actions as he had fled to Malaysia to start a new life.

He told the court he has four children in the Philippines.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Fadzlan Muhd Nuar, however, urged for a deterrent sentence as the offence was very serious.

On April 13, the Sessions Court sentenced Masran to six months' jail and a stroke of the cane for entering Sabah illegally.

He was ordered to run his custodial sentence with effect from the date of arrest on March 15 and be deported.
 

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