A ZAMBOANGA court has found a lady financer of the extremist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) guilty of terrorism charges.

The Zamboanga Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 33 found Norkisa Omar Asnalul guilty beyond reasonable doubt of three counts of violating the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 (RA 10168).

“The Court finds no legal impediment to the plea-bargaining agreement entered into by the prosecution and the defense, particularly considering that the lower offense to which the accused wishes to now plead guilty is penalized under the same law as that for which she is originally charged,” Zamboanga RTC Branch 33 Judge Shaldilyn B. Bangsaja wrote in the decision.

During the arraignment, the accused pleaded not guilty to all charges, but later offered to plead guilty to a lesser offense, acting as an accessory in terror financing, as part of a plea bargain.

She received a sentence ranging from four months and one day to a maximum of one year, seven months, and 10 days in prison; and ordered to pay a fine of P100,000.

The charges were based on allegations that she facilitated fund transfers in 2015 on behalf of the group.

“The conviction of a member of the terrorist group more so, a financial facilitator, strengthens the government’s resolve not to give in to their unlawful demands,” said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla in a statement on Tuesday. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

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