The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur reports that the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya, Malaysia rendered today its decision on the case of the Filipinos implicated in the 2013 Lahad Datu incidents.

The Court of Appeal heard the appeals from both the prosecution and the defense from the decision of the High Court (lower court) of Sabah and Sarawak issued on 6-8 June 2016.

The Court of Appeal affirmed the decision of the High Court acquitting 13 Filipinos of various crimes related to treason and terrorism.

However, the Court of Appeal also affirmed the decision of the High Court convicting nine Filipinos of the crime of waging war against the king. It also overturned the High Court’s imposition of life imprisonment and imposed the greater penalty of death.

The Court of Appeal’s decision is not yet final. It will be heard by the Federal Court of Malaysia (Supreme Court) under automatic appeal.

The PH Government has extended legal and other forms of assistance to all the defendants from the trial stage of their case up to the appeal, and will continue to extend assistance to them as their case progresses.

In the meantime, the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is monitoring their case very closely.