KUALA LUMPUR: Three more Filipinos were charged in the Lahad Datu and Beluran Magistrate’s Court in Sabah yesterday with two offences respectively over the Lahad Datu intrusion.
The court sat in a special session at the Lahad Datu and Beluran district police headquarters.
The trio were charged with waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong under section 121 of the Penal Code which carries the death sentence, and with being a member of a terrorist group under section 130KA of the same code which carries life imprisonment and liable to a fine, upon conviction.
Dani Ismail and Saidili Jaharul were charged at the Lahad Datu Magistrate’s Court while Pabblo Alie was charged at the Beluran Magistrate’s Court.
Dani and Saidili were alleged to have committed the offences in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, between Feb 9 and April 19, 2013.
Pabblo was charged with committing the offences in Kampung Muanad, Beluran, between Feb 9 and April 10, 2013.
No plea was recorded from the accused when the charges were read before Sessions Court judge Rajalingham S. S. Maniam who sat as magistrate in Lahad Datu, and magistrate Elsie Primus in Beluran.
Shukor Abu Bakar and Hamdan Hamzah were deputy public prosecutors.
The court also allowed the prosecution’s application under section 177A (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code to transfer the cases to the Tawau High Court and fixed May 14 for mention in that court.
Under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, all security cases are to be tried in the high court.
Inclusive of today’s cases, 23 Filipinos have been charged thus far, in connection with the recent intrusion in Lahad Datu by armed terrorists.
The charges included waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, being members of a terrorist group, sheltering terrorists and recruiting members for a terrorist group.
A local police corporal had also been charged with failing to provide information on terrorist activities. All the cases had been transferred to the Tawau High Court. — Bernama