DOJ lauds conviction of Abu finance officer

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday hailed the conviction by the Regional Trial Court in Zamboanga City of a woman who acted as financial facilitator for the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group.

Norkisa Omar Asnalul, also known as Norkisa Omar Ibno, was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of three counts of violation of Section 7 of Republic Act 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 last April 4, 2024.

The decision was announced only on Tuesday by the DOJ.

Asnalul was sentenced to a minimum of four months to a maximum of one year and seven months and ordered to pay P100,000 for each count.

The DOJ said the sentences will be served successively with full credit of her period of detention.

“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,” the DOJ said in a statement quoting Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

“I congratulate you for a job well done. This serves as a big win against the Abu Sayyaf network,” the statement read.

The charges stemmed from allegations that she facilitated the transfer of funds in 2015 on behalf of the Abu Sayyaf.

During arraignment of the case, the accused entered separate pleas of not guilty to the three charges.

However, the accused eventually moved for a plea bargain agreement by pleading guilty to the lesser offenses—acting as an accessory in terror financing instead of being a principal in the crime of financing terrorism which carries a maximum penalty of reclusion perpetua and a fine of up to P1 million.

Taking into account the plea bargain entered and the attending mitigating circumstances, Judge Shaldilyn Bangsaja of Branch 33 of the RTC in Zamboanga meted out lower penalty on the accused.

The trial court pointed out that the provisions of RA 10168 do not prohibit plea bargaining.

“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 to is penalized under the same law as that for which she is originally charged,” Bangsaja explained.

“In view of three mitigating circumstances and lack of aggravating circumstances, the said penalty shall be imposed in its minimum period,” the decision read.