DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana yesterday ordered the military in Mindanao to verify reports that a notorious Abu Sayyaf sub-leader was recently spotted in Davao City, the President’s hometown.
Malaysian media earlier said Idang Susukan was seen in the city with Nur Misuari, founding chair of the former rebel group Moro National Liberation Front.
Citing regional intelligence sources, the report said “Misuari brought Idang to Davao to have him fitted with a prosthetic replacement for his left arm, which he lost during a gun battle with the Philippine armed forces in Jolo Island early last year.”
The report also said Susukan “surrendered” to Misuari sometime in April, and Misuari is expected to meet with Duterte in the coming days.
The report said regional security officials have expressed concern over Susukan’s “free movement,” noting the numerous atrocities he has been involved in, including kidnappings and beheading of kidnap victims.
Lorenzana said he has not received an official report on the matter but he has asked Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., commander of the Davao City-based AFP Eastern Mindanao Command, to verify the information.
Lorenzana said he shares the concern of regional security officials, saying Susukan’s group “killed and beheaded a lot of our soldiers.”
“I already talked to the commander, Eastmincom,” said Lorenzana about his order to the military to verify the report. “He was also unaware why Misuari and Susukan are together in Davao. Susukan is wanted by the military,” he added.
Misuari has been cooperating with the Duterte administration and has met with the President several times, including in Malacañang. Last January, Misuari attended the turnover rites for Gen. Felimon Santos as AFP chief. Santos retired this month.
Misuari has been charged with rebellion for allegedly masterminding the “Zamboanga City siege” in 2013, that resulted in the death of about 189 MNLF fighters, 23 soldiers and policemen, and 12 civilians.
Maj. Arvin Encinas, spokesman of the Zamboanga City-based Western Mindanao Command which area includes Misuari’s bailiwick of Sulu, said Susukan remains an enemy of the military.
Encinas said they received intelligence reports about Susukan surrendering to Misuari early this month but the information has yet to be validated.
“He did not surrender to the government, so he is still wanted. He did not surrender to us. Misuari is not the government… As far as Wesmincom is concerned, he is still an enemy,” Encinas said of Susukan.
