Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 17) — The Philippine National Police will let the courts decide if Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari should be held liable for keeping Abu Sayyaf leader Anduljihad “Edang” Susukan before negotiating his arrest last week.
PNP Chief Archie Gamboa said Monday that authorities are in the process of compiling facts and details of the August 13 arrest of the terrorist group commander. The report will be sent to a court in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, which earlier issued one of multiple arrest warrants against Susukan, he added.
Another point to settle is if Misuari could be charged for reportedly harboring a criminal. There are reports that Misuari kept Susukan as early as April.
“On the part of the PNP, we just caused the arrest. As to the possible accountability of Misuari, it will be up to the courts to appreciate whether there is such a thing or not,” Gamboa said in a press briefing.
Gamboa refused to provide further details to reconcile conflicting reports that Susukan was either captured through police intelligence or surrendered voluntarily.
The Davao City police took into custody the rebel leader, who is notorious for kidnap-for-ransom activities, after he was handed over by Misuari. He said appropriate coordination was done so that “no actual confrontation would happen.”
Gamboa refused to comment on the possibility of an amnesty for the Abu Sayyaf leader, saying it’s not something the PNP can grant.
“As far as the PNP knows in the few coordinations we did, we haven’t found any entity giving reward for the arrest of Susukan,” the PNP chief added, referring to a bounty.
Susukan, 34, is charged with 23 counts of murder, five counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and six counts of frustrated murder before various courts.
He was transferred to Camp Crame in Quezon City and has been subjected to a swab test for COVID-19. Gamboa said the results are not yet out. He added that the PNP will seek to transfer his custody to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Police said Susukan was in Davao City to seek medical attention. He lost his left arm in a bloody encounter in Patikul, Sulu, a known lair of the Abu Sayyaf group in February 2019.
There are also questions on why Misuari, who also faces rebellion charges for the 2013 Zamboanga siege, was not arrested. Gamboa said authorities will look into it.
President Rodrigo Duterte has reopened negotiations with the MNLF and even appointed Misuari as his Special Economic Envoy on Islamic Affairs to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in December.
CNN Philippines’ Eimor Santos contributed to this report.
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“In terms of criminal liability, medyo highly unlikely po kasi he really arranged for Susukan to surrender, hindi po nahuli si Susukan dahil tinatago ni Nur Misuari [Susukan was not caught hiding in Nur Misuari’s house]. He really arranged that authorities will apprehend Susukan in his residence on that given day,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said separately.
