Pinoy, co-accused get 25 years in US over terror ties

Philippine-born Ralph Kenneth De Leon and his co-accused have been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison in the United States following their conviction of terrorism-related charges.

The US government said De Leon, 26, and co-accused Sohiel Omar Kabir, a 37-year-old Afghanistan-born US citizen, were convicted last September for conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and to murder US military and government personnel.

Both were sentenced by US District Judge Virginia Phillips in Riverside, California on February 23. Their trial lasted more than six weeks.

The US government said Kabir was found guilty of conspiring to provide material support to and receive military-style training from al Qaeda, while De Leon was convicted of conspiring to murder, kidnap and maim people overseas.

"This case demonstrates the need for vigilance and swift action to counter the false allure of violent extremism," US Attorney Stephanie Yonekura said in a statement.

A report on the LA Times said De Leon and two others were influenced by Kabir to train in gun and paintball ranges in order to join the Taliban as students and later, the al Qaeda.

De Leon allegedly purchased the tickets for his two companions, Miguel Alejandro Santana Vidriales and Arifeen David Gojali, in order to meet with Kabir.

Vidriales and Gojali have pleaded guilty and face sentencings on March 16 before Phillips, the Justice Department said.

De Leon said in a handwritten letter to the court that he was "ready to face the consequences" for his actions.

He added that he was mistaken in believing the form of Islam preached by Kabir, which he described as "extreme and radical".

De Leon reportedly converted to Islam in 2010, according to previous reports.

California State University - San Bernardino spokesperson Joe Gutierrez said De Leon was enrolled in business administration seven years ago but withdrew in September 2012.

De Leon immigrated from the Philippines to the US in 2003 and lived in Ontario, California. — withRie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

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