Opposition Senator Leila de Lima on Thursday urged Congress to investigate the circumstances surrounding the recent arrest of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Abduljihan Idang Susukan in the custody of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari.
De Lima said it is imperative for lawmakers to establish the nature of their dealings and to determine its possible impact on national security.
“For the sake of our national security, there is a need for our security sector – the AFP, the PNP, and the intelligence services – to disclose the complete details of the deal between Misuari and Susukan and determine whether the same was sanctioned by the highest authorities and on what basis,” De Lima said in filing Senate Resolution No. 513.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reportedly took custody of Susukan at the residence of Misuari in Davao City last Aug. 13. Operatives claimed that the police initiated a negotiation after learning that Susukan was brought to Davao City to get medical attention.
The police served 23 warrants of arrest for murder, five for kidnapping and serious illegal detention and six for frustrated murder against Susukan.
However, PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said it is up to the court to decide whether Susukan was arrested or if he surrendered.
She also said it is important to ascertain the legitimacy of Misuari’s activities as special envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and if his continuous operations in Mindanao are approved by the highest authorities and serve the interests of the country.
“For the sake of our national security, there is a need for our security sector – the AFP, the PNP, and the intelligence services – to disclose the complete details of the deal between Misuari and Susukan and determine whether the same was sanctioned by the highest authorities and on what basis,” she said.
She also said there is a necessity to determine whether Misuari is abusing President Duterte’s trust on him as evidenced in his highly questionable caper with a known terrorist.
The said incident, the senator said, can already be considered as aiding and abetting a terrorist and “therefore, should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
She said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana himself had said that Misuari could be charged for violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act if it is established that he coddled Susukan.
“The incident is reported to have bared serious differences of opinion on our country’s security policies. The bone of contention, military sources said, was the presidential amnesty that allegedly underpinned a surrender deal brokered by Misuari,” the former justice secretary said.
De Lima warned it would send a wrong signal to the Filipino people and to the world if the government is seen to coddle known terrorists while legitimate dissent is being stifled publicly through harassments and extrajudicial killings.
“There is a need for our government to declare a clear policy on the Abu Sayyaf, Misuari, and his MNLF splinter faction still holding out in Sulu after the 2013 Zamboanga Siege which terrorized and almost destroyed the city,” she said.