Filipinos acquitted in Malaysia ready for release: DFA

MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said the 13 Filipinos charged for waging a war against a Malaysian monarch were now ready for release following the decision of Malaysia’s high court on their acquittal.

In a phone interview, Raul Dado, executive director for the DFA-Office of Migrant Workers Affairs said Malaysian authorities were processing the papers of the Filipinos.

“(It’s) under process but let’s base on the immigration laws of Malaysia,” he said. “They’re now in the process of having their papers done.”

According to state-run Bernama, the Federal Court upheld the Malaysian Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge 14 Filipinos accused with waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and terrorist-related offenses linked to the armed intrusion at Kampung Tanduo Lahad Datu between Feb. 12 and Apr. 10, 2013.

Dado, however, clarified that the number was only 13, one had died. “It’s actually 13 but one has died so 12 are being processed,” he said.

On Monday, the Malaysia high court has also upheld the appellate court’s decision to sentence nine others of death for waging war against the Malaysian monarch.

Asked for the names of 13 Filipinos acquitted, Dado said the embassy had not given the list due to “confidentiality.”