The Philippine National Police (PNP) will leave it to the court to decide if Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari committed violations regarding the arrest of Abu Sayyaf subleader Abduljihad Susukan alias “Idang.”
PNP Chief Police General Archie Gamboa said they are now preparing the report to be submitted to the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Tawi-Tawi where the warrant of arrest for Susukan was issued. Further details on the operation involving the suspect were not disclosed pending the filing of the report.
The police clarified that everything was done to prevent the operation from reaching a confrontation.
“We will lay down the facts to the court involved… Only the court can determine whether it’s voluntary surrender, arrest or capture prevailing the circumstances that have taken place during the incident,” Gamboa explained.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that Misuari might have “really intended” to turn Susukan over.
“We suspect that he wanted to bring Susukan to the President and (was) waiting for a chance. But we learned about it,” Lorenzana claimed.
Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said he has learned that Misuari “arranged for the surrender. So in terms of criminal liability, medyo highly unlikely po kasi parang he really arranged for Suksukan to surrender (He arranged for the surrender. So in terms of criminal liability, it may be highly unlikely because it seems he really arranged for Susukan to surrender).”
Roque also clarified that President Duterte did not have a meeting with Nur Misuari.
The PNP is now determining how Susukan arrived in Davao City from Sulu. He is currently under the custody of the national police and may be issued other outstanding warrants of arrest against him. There are at least 23 arrest warrants for the Abu Sayyaf leader for the crimes of murder and kidnapping.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson MGen. Edgard Arevalo said the “AFP through the Judge Advocate General and the PNP through the Intelligence Group will file before the court a Joint Motion to Transfer Custody of the accused Susukan to the AFP.” – Report from Bea Bernardo
