ALLEGED Islamic State (IS) online recruiter Karen Aizha A. Hamidon on Friday, Nov. 10, filed her counter-affidavit at the Department of Justice (DoJ).

Ms. Hamidon was arrested on Oct. 11 at her home in Taguig City by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation-Counter Terrorism Division (NBI-CTD) who seized her cellphones, laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices allegedly being used for her illegal online activities.

She was charged seven days later with 14 counts of violation of Article 138 (Inciting a Rebellion or Insurrection) of the Revised Penal Code, in connection with Section 6 of R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).

But Ms. Hamidon in her counter-affidavit maintained she “was not doing any crime” when “the arresting officers who pretended to be authorized representative(s) of Grab Express arrested respondent after showing her cellphone while looking for the confirmation code.”

“Last Oct. 11, while I was preparing for my lunch somebody knocked on the door of the condo unit where I am residing and introduced themselves as Grab Express. They (were) looking for a confirmation code sent to my phone so they instructed me to get my phone and (I) showed it to them(.) (T)hereafter, they arrested me, handcuffed me from behind and searched my unit,” Ms. Hamidon said n her counter-affidavit, adding: “the arrest of the respondent and seizure of the cellphone was illegal.”

“I vehemently deny the charges against me because there was an Instigation on my part which is illegal. The acts allegedly committed were not done voluntarily and against my will and caprice.”

Ms. Hamidon said she met on Facebook a person named J A, a “self-proclaimed” Murabit (Muslim Soldier) who “managed to gain my trust and had become my confidant and persuaded me to do things which (were) against my will.”

She claimed that, prior to her arrest, “J A promised me that he will send me Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) and several Globe sim cards via Grab Express. Unfortunately, to my great surprise, the alleged courier arrested her without valid ground and took my cellphone and other belongings.”

“It must be emphasized that the alleged undercover agent has the ill motive and ill will to gain the confidence of the respondent in order to allure respondent to commit the alleged crime.”

“Therefore, the arresting officers(‘) conduct was outside the acceptable standards for the fair and honorable administration of justice there being instigation,” it added. — Andrea Louise E. San Juan

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