Senator Leila de Lima questions the circumstances of the arrest of Abu Sayyaf leader Idang Susukan aided by MNLF founder Nur Misuari
Senator Leila de Lima called on her fellow senators to investigate the dealings of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding leader Nur Misuari with Abu Sayyaf leader Abduljihad “Idang” Susukan, whom Misuari handed over to the police in mid-August.
In a message dispatched from her detention cell in Camp Crame, Quezon City, the opposition senator said a probe into the circumstances surrounding Susukan’s arrest aided by Misuari is necessary “to ascertain the nature of their dealings,” and their implications on national security.
De Lima filed Senate Resolution No. 513 to “underscore the need to establish the legitimacy” of Misuari’s activities, and whether his activities in Mindanao are “sanctioned by the highest authorities and serve interests of the country.”
Misuari is the Philippines’ special economic envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte in December 2019.
“For the sake of our national security, there is a need for our security sector…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.
“There is a need to determine whether the trust being reposed by President Duterte on [Misuari] is being abused by the latter as evidenced in his highly questionable caper with a known terrorist, which can already be considered as aiding and abetting a terrorist, and therefore should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she added.
With 34 warrants of arrest against him, Susukan was nabbed by the Philippine National Police in Davao City on August 13. He was surrendered to the cops by Misuari, who until then did not inform the police or military that he was with the fugitive terror group leader.
The incident aroused suspicion. Senator Panfilo Lacson warned against "mixing politics and terrorism,” following reports of a “surrender deal” allegedly brokered by Misuari.
Davao City Police chief Colonel Kirby Kraft told Rappler in August that his office was looking into the circumstances of Susukan’s presence in the city before his arrest.
De Lima noted that Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Misuari may be charged with violating the Anti-Terrorism Act if it turns out 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,” De Lima said.
Citing military sources, De Lima said Misuari promised Susukan the position his deceased father, Agga Susukan, held during the early days of the MNLF rebellion – in exchange for his surrender. The older Susukan was allegedly Misuari’s trusted aide, the senator added.
De Lima said it would be “morally wrong” for the government to offer any political deal to terrorists, including amnesty, while the families of their victims have yet to receive justice.
Susukan is accused of killings and kidnappings with the Abu Sayyaf, which splintered from the MNLF in the early 1990s.
De Lima was justice secretary when an MNLF faction allegedly led by Misuari laid siege to Zamboanga City in 2013.
“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,” De Lima said.
The senator is detained over illegal drug cases filed against her by the Department of Justice in February 2017, after she led a Senate investigation of killings in Duterte’s drug war. As human rights chief years before, De Lima investigated extrajudicial killings in Davao City under Duterte as mayor. Rights groups have called for De Lima’s release, saying her detention is a form of political persecution.
https://rappler.com/nation/de-lima-calls-senate-probe-misuari-dealings-abu-sayyaf-leader
In a message dispatched from her detention cell in Camp Crame, Quezon City, the opposition senator said a probe into the circumstances surrounding Susukan’s arrest aided by Misuari is necessary “to ascertain the nature of their dealings,” and their implications on national security.
De Lima filed Senate Resolution No. 513 to “underscore the need to establish the legitimacy” of Misuari’s activities, and whether his activities in Mindanao are “sanctioned by the highest authorities and serve interests of the country.”
Misuari is the Philippines’ special economic envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte in December 2019.
“For the sake of our national security, there is a need for our security sector…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.
“There is a need to determine whether the trust being reposed by President Duterte on [Misuari] is being abused by the latter as evidenced in his highly questionable caper with a known terrorist, which can already be considered as aiding and abetting a terrorist, and therefore should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she added.
With 34 warrants of arrest against him, Susukan was nabbed by the Philippine National Police in Davao City on August 13. He was surrendered to the cops by Misuari, who until then did not inform the police or military that he was with the fugitive terror group leader.
The incident aroused suspicion. Senator Panfilo Lacson warned against "mixing politics and terrorism,” following reports of a “surrender deal” allegedly brokered by Misuari.
Davao City Police chief Colonel Kirby Kraft told Rappler in August that his office was looking into the circumstances of Susukan’s presence in the city before his arrest.
De Lima noted that Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Misuari may be charged with violating the Anti-Terrorism Act if it turns out 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,” De Lima said.
Citing military sources, De Lima said Misuari promised Susukan the position his deceased father, Agga Susukan, held during the early days of the MNLF rebellion – in exchange for his surrender. The older Susukan was allegedly Misuari’s trusted aide, the senator added.
De Lima said it would be “morally wrong” for the government to offer any political deal to terrorists, including amnesty, while the families of their victims have yet to receive justice.
Susukan is accused of killings and kidnappings with the Abu Sayyaf, which splintered from the MNLF in the early 1990s.
De Lima was justice secretary when an MNLF faction allegedly led by Misuari laid siege to Zamboanga City in 2013.
“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,” De Lima said.
The senator is detained over illegal drug cases filed against her by the Department of Justice in February 2017, after she led a Senate investigation of killings in Duterte’s drug war. As human rights chief years before, De Lima investigated extrajudicial killings in Davao City under Duterte as mayor. Rights groups have called for De Lima’s release, saying her detention is a form of political persecution.
https://rappler.com/nation/de-lima-calls-senate-probe-misuari-dealings-abu-sayyaf-leader
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