By MB Online
A member of the Maute terrorist group was convicted by a Taguig court for charges of rebellion and crimes against humanity Saturday.
Judge Felix Reyes of the Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 70 sentenced Junaid Macauyag Awal to a prison term of 40 years and ordered him to pay a P 500,000 fine.
Awal was found guilty of rebellion or violation of Article 134 of the Revised Penal Code and R.A. 9851 or Philippine Act on Crimes against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and other Crimes against Humanity.
During the course of the hearing, the prosecution presented 3 witnesses who were supposedly held hostage by Awal and other members of the group.
In his defense, Awal presented his wife and father and told the court that he was also held against his will.
However, the court gave more weight to the prosecution witnesses’ testimonies as well to accounts that Awal was seen exchanging fire with government troops.
One of the Christian women who was also held captive testified that she was forced to become a sabaya or captive woman of Awal, whom she also accused of raping her several times.
Because of the said testimonies and the other circumstances presented before the court Awal was convicted of the charges filed against him.