MANILA, Philippines — The Pasig City regional trial court (RTC) yesterday convicted more than 60 Abu Sayyaf extremists over the kidnapping of several villagers, including school children, in Basilan in 2000. The Pasig RTC Branch 261 found the 66 Abu Sayyaf gunmen guilty of kidnapping and serious illegal detention and sentenced them to life in prison for seizing 52 teachers and students from two schools in Tumahubong in Sumisip on March 20, 2000. The court said 29 of the accused were found guilty of all 52 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention. There were also 12 Abu Sayyaf members found guilty of 18 counts of the same offense, but were acquitted of 34 other counts. Among those originally charged were Abu Sayyaf leaders Khadaffy Janjalani, Aldam Tilao alias Abu Ahmad Sabaya, Isnilon Hapilon and Hector Janjalani.

Source: Philippine Star December 14, 2018 16:05 UTC