The Taguig City Regional Trial Court Branch 153 convicted 17 members of the Abu Sayyaf group for their participation in the kidnapping of foreigners and Filipino tourists from Sipadan Island, Malaysia, on April 23, 2000. The Department of Justice announced the decision on Friday. .
In a ruling dated October 16, 2024, Judge Mariam Bien sentenced the accused to reclusion perpetua for 21 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom. Among those convicted are Hilarion Del Rosario Santos III, also known as Ahmed Islam Santos, and Redendo Cain Dellosa, both of whom are on the United Nations Security Council's Sanctions List due to their connection to terrorist activities.
Santos, the founder of the Rajah Solaiman Movement, and Dellosa, another leader of the same group, were first identified by the UN in 2008 for their connection to Al-Qaida and the Taliban. The DOJ said that while they are facing charges of kidnapping and illegal detention, the incident happened before the establishment of anti-terrorism laws in the Philippines.
Included in the 2000 kidnappings were ten Western tourists and eleven Asian nationals who were taken hostage and taken to Sulu. In the midst of the incident, Guillermo Sobero, an American, was killed and missionary Martin Burnham died while the rescue operation was underway. The remaining hostages were later released after ransoms were paid.
Several prominent Abu Sayyaf leaders, including Galib Andang (Commander Robot) and Nadjmi Sabdulla (Commander Global), died in a failed escape attempt in 2005.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla commended Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Hazel Decena-Valdez for her efforts that resulted in the convictions. He acknowledged the cooperation of various agencies, including the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, the Philippine National Police, and the U.S. government, in the pursuit of justice against terrorism.
This ruling is an important step in calling to account those responsible for longstanding abductions and reaffirms the commitment to ensure that justice prevails despite the challenges posed by terrorism.
