MANILA, Philippines: After five months in detention, a man mistaken for a terrorist leader has been released with the help of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO).
Said Maca-antal Mohammad, 61, a resident of Pangasinan province, was arrested in August last year for kidnapping with homicide by the National Bureau of Investigation. His namesake, alias Amah Maas, was a co-accused of Abu Sayyaf terrorist leader Isnilon Hapilon, who was killed by soldiers on October 16, 2017 in Marawi, Lanao del Sur.
Senator Robinhood “Robin” Padilla personally thanked PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta and the team of public lawyers who assisted Mohammad.
PAO-Taguig District head Ariel Ruiz told The Manila Times that several trial courts including two in the city and another in Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte dismissed the criminal cases filed against Mohammad.
The dismissal orders were issued following the testimonies of military officials that the namesake of Mohammad was killed in a clash with government troops in Patikul, Sulu on August 26, 2016.
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Mohammad was released from detention in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan on February 7, 2024.
“All the cases filed against Mr. Mohammad were dismissed on the ground of mistaken identity with the testimony of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that the real perpetrator (Amah Maas) of the crimes was already killed in an encounter,” Rueda-Acosta said.
Reunited with his family, Mohammad thanked Padilla, Rueda-Acosta and Ruiz’ team for their help.
“This is something that I will cherish and never forget until my last breath,” he said in Filipino.
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