Police probe Abu Sayyaf leader Susukan's presence at Misuari's house

Authorities will investigate why Abu Sayyaf Group leader Anduljihad "Edang" Susukan was with  Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari at his house in Davao City.

In a phone interview with GMA News Online, Davao City Police chief Police Colonel Kirby John Kraft said part of the probe is to determine how long Susukan had stayed with Misuari.

"'Yun po part pa rin po ng investigation namin 'yun kasi hindi naman po siya dito sa Davao City kung hindi galing po sila sa Jolo, Sulu. Hindi ko po ma-confirm 'yung information na April na kay Nur Misuari na po siya," Kraft said.

"'Yun po ang inaalam namin kung ano po 'yung participation po doon, kung bakit nandoon po siya. Definitely ang inano lang po natin dito ay pagse-serve ng warrant and since peaceful naman po ang turnover ng MNLF sa amin si Susukan," he added.

Kraft said Susukan is set to be flown to Manila within the day.

"Anytime po ibi-biyahe natin siya pa-Manila ngayong araw na ito," Kraft said. "Aalamin pa natin kung derecho na natin ng GHQ o Camp Crame po muna dadalhin."

Citing information he received, Kraft said Susukan was in Davao City to have a medical checkup because he needs a prosthetic arm.

"Kaya raw po siya nasa Davao City para magpagawa raw po siya ng prosthetic arm kasi po putol 'yung kaliwang kamay niya po. Immediately po noong ma-report po sa atin na nandito nga po siya sa Davao, nag-conduct po agad tayo ng operations para matukoy kung nasaan po siya," he said.

Misuari claim

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said security forces were not aware that Susukan arrived in Davao City with Misuari on Sunday.

He added, based on information he obtained, Misuari is claiming that he brought the Abu Sayyaf leader to yield him to the authorities.

“Misuari claims that he brought Susukan to surrender him to the authorities,” Lorenzana said.

Susukan was handed over to police at the residence of Nur Misuari in Yñigue Subdivision, Maa, Davao City on Thursday night.

The Philippine National Police said it initiated a negotiation after learning that Susukan was brought to Davao City to receive medical attention.

Authorities served 23 warrants of arrest for murder, five for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and six for frustrated murder against Susukan.

Huge blow

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo said the arrest of Susukan was a huge blow to Abu Sayyaf, adding that AFP chief of staff Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay has tasked the military to be on alert for any retaliation.

"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," he 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.—AOL/KBK, GMA News