One of the three hostage-takers at Camp Crame on Monday morning was a leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) whom the Davao City police pursued after knowing that he travelled with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari in a private jet to Davao City in 2020.
Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), confirmed to the Manila Bulletin that the Idang Susukan who was killed after a failed attempt at the PNP Custodial Center was the same Anduljihad Susukan who was arrested in Davao City in August 2020.
“Yes, it’s the same person. He was involved in various KFR (kidnap-for-ransom) activities,” Azurin told the Manila Bulletin.
“The two others are also ASG members. All the three are facing KFR cases and multiple illegal detention cases,” he added, referring to Arnel Cabintoy and Feliciano Sulayao Jr.
The three repeatedly stabbed a policeman distributing food ration at around 6:30 a.m. inside the maximum security facility of the PNP Custodial Center in a desperate attempt to escape.
Susukan and Cabintoy died when they were shot by the police buddy of the cop they stabbed while Sulayao was killed while holding former senator Leila de Lima hostage.
Controversy
Intelligence reports revealed that Susukan surrendered to Misuari in April 2020 and was allegedly allowed to freely roam the MNLF camp since then.
On Aug. 9, 2020, the local police, then headed by Col. Kirby John Kraft as head of the Davao City police, monitored that Susukan travelled with Misuari on a private jet to Davao City where he was supposed to be fitted with prosthetics for his left arm.
Susukan lost his left arm in one of the gun battles with the military.
“Police officers initiated the negotiation after finding out that Susukan was brought to Davao City to seek medical attention,” then PNP chief Archie Gamboa said.
“The PNP immediately advised (then) Mayor Inday Sara Duterte who assured us of her full cooperation and assistance, to ensure the peaceful handover and orderly transfer of custody to proper authorities,” he added.
Gamboa said that after the turnover of Susukan, warrants of arrest for 23 cases of murder, frustrated murder, kidnapping and serious illegal detention were served to the ASG leader.
Wanted
Susukan is wanted for high-profile kidnappings and killings of hostages. He is also wanted in Malaysia since some of the victims were forcibly taken in the Sabah area.
Susukan was charged with several kidnapping operations against foreign nationals since 2013 in Sabah.
Susukan was also a cohort of Malaysian terrorists Zulkifli Abdihur a.k.a. Marwan and Amin Baco a.k.a. Yohan when they were still based in Sulu in 2012.
Susukan became the sub-leader of Hatib Sawadjaan, who was said to be the replacement of Isnilon Hapilon as the local emir in Southern Philippines of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
Planned
Azurin said that the Susukan and his two other inmates appeared to have planned the escape, the proof was the improvised knife they made.
He said that the incident happened in the common area where inmates are allowed for sunning and other physical activities.
It was then that the three grabbed Police Corporal Agustin and stabbed.
Agustin, according to Azurin, is in critical condition due to multiple stabwounds he suffered.
“We have to study on how do we improve so these things will not happen again,” said Azurin.
Unhurt
Sulayao ran towards former Sen. Leila de Lima after Susukan and Cabintoy was shot and held her hostage.
“Members of the Special Action Forces immediately responded to the incident and negotiated with Sulayao but to no avail. Since the situation is escalating, the tactical team engaged Sulayao and he was neutralized,” a PNP statement read.
Azurin said De Lima was apparently not the target and was held hostage in a desperate attempt of Sulayao to escape.
“(Former) Senator was not hurt. She is now safe,” said Azurin.