A Filipino accused in the Lahad Datu intrusion case told the Kota Kinabalu High Court today that he was tricked into coming to Sabah for work and a promise of a Malaysian identity card (IC).

Atik Hussin Abu Bakar, 45, said he realised this when a negotiation took place at Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu where a police officer - known to him as Tuan Zul - had asked intrusion leader Datu Agbimuddin Kiram to leave the village and return to the Philippines.

"After that (negotiation), there were sheets of paper thrown off a helicopter with the words 'Dan Gumuwa' (meaning 'safe passage' in Suluk) written on it.

"I put the paper in a black plastic bag and hid it. During that time, I knew the promise (of a job and a Malaysian IC) made to me was a lie," he testified in the Bajau language from the witness dock, whose testimony was translated by a court interpreter.

Atik Hussin entered his defence on a charge of waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong during an intrusion in 2013.

The accused said he thought the paper was his ticket to run away from the intruders.

To a question by counsel N Sivananthan, Atik Hussin said a man known as ‘Haji Musa’ had come to his village on Sibutu Island, Philippines, promising the villagers there jobs and ICs in Malaysia.

"We started our journey in February 2013 in a big boat from Simunul, Philippines. There were about 500 of us.

"When we arrived at Kampung Tanduo, a negotiation was taking place and Tuan Zul and his men had come with some food. Some of his men were taking pictures."

Atik Hussin said he also had his picture taken, which had not been something he thought was wrong.

"Because I saw that the situation then was peaceful and not chaotic. I believed we went there because we were invited by the government of Malaysia," he said.

Atik Hussin is one of 13 Filipinos and a local man who are entering their defence before Justice Stephen Chung at the Sabah Prison Department, for various offences allegedly committed between Feb 12 and April 10, 2013.

Some of the accused are facing one to multiple charges of being members of a terrorist group and waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Others are alleged to have wilfully harboured individuals they knew to be members of a terrorist group, or solicited or gave support to a terrorist group.

The hearing continues on March 7.

- Bernama