A suspected Spanish terrorist who was arrested in 2018 at a military checkpoint in Basilan was convicted of three counts of illegal possession of loaded small firearm.
Abdelhakim Labidi Adib was originally charged before the Basilan regional trial court (RTC) with three counts of illegal possession of explosives in violation of Section 3 of Presidential Decree 1866 as amended by Section 1 of Republic Act No. 9516.
In a press statement, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said that during the trial of the cases, Abib moved to plea bargain by admitting his guilt to a lesser offense for a lighter penalty.
With his plea to a lesser offense of possession of loaded small firearm, the RTC sentenced him to a prison term ranging from eight years and one day to 14 years, eight months and one day in each of the three cases.
Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla “lauded state prosecutors for securing the conviction of a suspected terrorist,” the DOJ said.
Based on the charges, the DOJ said that Abib was arrested in 2018 by the 14th Special Forces Company of the Philippine Army (PA).
“Agents of the PA conducted warrantless arrest against Adib on the basis of an intelligence report it received that two suspicious persons will be passing Barangay Townsite, Maluso, Basilan Province. They then set up a checkpoint at the area, and when Adib and his companion saw them, Adib attempted to throw the bag he was carrying but authorities prevented him from doing so, while his companion fled,” the DOJ said.
It said the items found in Abib’s bag included a rifle grenade, a MKII fragmentation hand grenade, an electric blasting cap, a mobile phone, a nine-volt battery, a lunch box, P8,520 in cash, his passport, and various identification cards.
TAGS: #DOJ #Convicted suspected terrorist #RTC Basilan