A HUMAN rights activist based from Sulu and another complainant filed cases before the office of the Ombudsman in Mindanao on Friday, November 18, against Sulu Vice Governor Abdusakur Tan, Senator Leila de Lima and two others for allegedly using their power to finance terrorists.
Bawgbug, a Sulu-based human rights group, chair Temogen "Cocoy" Tulawie along with Abner Salahi Tahil filed charges against Tan, de Lima and former National Commission head for Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Mehol Sadain, NCMF Commissioner Edilwasif Baddiri and Tan's legal counsel, Wendel Sotto.
Tulawie filed complaint for their violation of Section 4 of the Republic Act 10168, otherwise known as an Act Defining the Crime of Financing of Terrorism, in relation to Section 3 paragraph E and F of Republic Act 319, otherwise known as "Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act" and dishonesty, neglect of duty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Based from the document provided by the camp of Tulawie, they are accusing the officials for knowingly and directly aiding, protecting, providing shelter, protection, transportation, and legal services and financing the release of Abu Sayyaf terrorists named Mohammad Sali Said, Jun Ahmad Ahadi, and Robin Sahiyal at the Special Intensive Care Area of Camp (Sica) Bagong Diwa in Taguig on February 15, 2013.
"I have a personal knowledge sa accusation ko against them kasi
nangyari to during my trial then my case was pending in Regional Trial Court Manila, Branch 19, so doon lahat ang nangyari.. financial na tulong kasi nilagay nila [si Said] sa Witness Protection Program so may shelter and financial aid (about my accusation against them because it happened during my trial [multiple frustrated murder case], then my case was pending in Regional Trial Court Manila, Branch 19, [the officials] helped financially because they put[Said] under Witness Protection Program so there’s shelter and financial aid)," Tulawie said.
Tulawie and Tahil were previously charged with multiple frustrated murder for a bombing incident in 2009 that injured Governor Tan.
Both were detained for more than three years until they were acquitted last July 20, 2015 by the court in Manila for lack of evidence.
Tulawie also alleged that while the released terrorist prisoners were under care and custody of the authorities, they were actually roaming free in Sulu and continuing their kidnapping activities.
Tulawie said he filed the case just now when he learned about the release of the terrorists, while he was still detained in Manila City Jail and Tahil was also detained at Sica.
"Wala akong kakayahan noon to file a case, at the same time ang nag-push talaga sa akin to file the case is after the bombing dito sa Davao City sa Roxas, kasi ang mga taong ito (I don’t have the capacity to file the case before, what pushed me to file right after the Roxas night market bombing in Davao City was when these persons) are spotted in Davao during the campaign period and after the election," Tulawie said.
Tulawie said filing the case is a way to expose and destroy the machinery that aids the terrorists.
Tulawie said his evidence is very strong because he saw Said admitting he is one of the Abu Sayyaf.
He also alleged that Said and three others were responsible in the beheading of Canadian John Ridsdel and that they were the ones de Lima allegedly ordered freed from jail.
"Nandiyan lahat ang documentary evidence, pinalaya siya [si Said] ng NCMF dahil siya daw ay wrongfully accused or victim of mistaken identity, and in less than one month pumunta siya ng court room at nagsasabi siya ay Abu Sayyaf at meron naman kaming affidavits of identification mula sa isang victim. Sinabi ni Said na siya ang kumidnap kay Ces Drilon at inamin niya yun sa open court (All the documentary evidences are there, [Said] was freed by NCMF because he was wrongfully accused or victim of mistaken identity, but in less than a month, he went to court, admitting he is one of the Abu Sayaff. We also have affidavits of identification from the victim. Said admitted in an open court that he kidnapped Ces Drilon)," he said.
Tahil also allegedly witnessed Tan's dealings with the Abu Sayyaf Group in an effort to produce witnesses to pin down Tulawie in the pending criminal cases in Manila.
Tulawie also alleged that Tan, a long time governor of the Province of Sulu, often bragged that he is very influential to the Department of Justice (DOJ) because the then DOJ secretary de Lima was his long time legal counsel for election cases.
Tulawie said that he wants to face the respondents in court and prove that they are criminally liable for the violations.