FRONTLINE UNITS TASKED TO BE ALERT

AFP: ASG leader Susukan's arrest 'huge blow' to local terrorists

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo on Friday deemed the arrest of Abu Sayyaf Group leader Anduljihad "Edang" Susukan as a huge blow to the local terrorist group.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Arevalo said AFP chief of staff Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay has tasked the military to be on alert as the local terror group could retaliate following Susukan's arrest on Thursday night.

"Isa rin siyang subleader, katulad ni Sawadjaan diyan sa lalawigan ng Sulu kaya po sinasabi natin, malaking dagok ito sa hanay ng mga teroristang grupo na madakip ang isa sa kanilang subleader na very notorious, pinaghahanap ito hindi lang sa ating bansa," Arevalo said.

"May atas ang ating Chief of Staff, si General Gilbert Gapay sa ating mga frontline units na lalong maging mapagmatyag at maging maingat dahil sa pangyayaring ito, maaaring magsagawa sila ng pagganti o iba pang gawain..." he added.

Police served 23 warrants of arrest for murder, five for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and six for frustrated murder against Susukan at the residence of Moro National Liberation Front founder Nur Misuari in Yñigue Subdivision, Maa, Davao City.

Arevalo said the military has no information yet why Susukan was at the house of Misuari. He said the AFP only knows that the ASG leader went to Davao City to have a medical checkup because he needs a prosthetic arm.

"Wala pa po tayong impormasyon hinggil diyan at 'yan po ay malalaman natin the moment na iturnover na po siya sa AFP... Ang inisyal po na impormasyon na ating natanggap ay diumano, may kagustuhang magpagawa ng prosthetic itong si Edang Susukan kung kaya't siya'y nagpakustodiya dito kay chairman Nur Misuari," he explained.

Asked if Misuari could face charges for allegedly harboring a criminal, Arevalo said authorities need to get the side first of Misuari regarding the issue. He noted that for the part of the military, Misuari did not inform them that Susukan was in his custody.

"Sa ngayon, kailangan nating marinig ang panig ni Chairman Misuari tungkol sa mga circumstance kung bakit nasa kaniyang kustodiya si Edang Susukan," Arevalo said.

"Wala pong malinaw na pasabi o pormal na pahiwatig si Ginoong Misuari na nasa kaniyang kustodiya si Edang Susukan. Pinakamaganda po diyan marinig natin ang side niya. Baka may iba po siyang kausap na ahensya ng pamahalaan. That we cannot answer," he added.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Misuari is claiming that he brought the Abu Sayyaf leader to surrender him to the authorities.

The Davao City police vowed that Susukan's presence at the house of Misuari will be looked into.

Police said Susukan is set to be flown to Manila within the day.—AOL, GMA News