MANILA, Philippines - Two arrested Abu Sayyaf group members believed to have provided medical treatment to wounded terrorists fighting government troops in Marawi City have been criminally charged before government prosecutors.
Jadzrie Harad Saabdula, 50, and Jamal Kalib Jamil, 18, were presented before a special panel of prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DOJ) for inquest proceedings on rebellion charges before the Eid’l Fitr holiday.
An inquest is an informal and summary investigation conducted by the public prosecutor in a criminal case involving persons arrested and detained without the benefit of a warrant of arrest issued by court.
Just like the other Maute group members arrested earlier, the two Abu Sayyaf members were arrested pursuant to the arrest orders issued by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana as martial law administrator.
After the inquest, the prosecutors are expected to issue a resolution and file the case against the three before the Cagayan de Oro regional trial court, which was tapped by the Supreme Court to hear the cases against the Maute terrorists.
The hearing was held last Saturday morning at Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City, where most of the arrested Maute terrorists are temporarily detained, according to DOJ undersecretary Erickson Balmes.
Saabdula and Jamil were arrested last Wednesday morning while they were purchasing a bulk of assorted medicines at a pharmacy in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.
Saabdula, a nurse at the Banguingui (former Tongkil town) municipal hospital who went on absence without leave, is the brother of slain Abu Sayyaf leader Nadzmi Saabdula, alias Commander Global.
The two suspects, both from Sulu, were reportedly buying antibiotics, antibacterial, pain relievers and other types of post-traumatic medicines.
The DOJ has already indicted several arrested members and supporters of the Maute group, including Cayamora Maute and Ominta Romato, alias Farhana, parents of the Maute brothers who led the group behind the attack in Marawi City last May 23.
Also charged with rebellion before the Cagayan de Oro RTC were former Marawi City mayor Fajad Salic; Mohaamad Maute, alias Abu Jadid, alleged bomb maker of the Maute group; and Faridah Pangompig Romato, Aljadid Pangompig Romato and Abdulralman Dimakuta Sevad.