DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday, August 17, 2020, said he agrees with Senator Panfilo Lacson that Abu Sayyaf leader Abduljihad Susukan should not be granted amnesty.
Lorenzana said Susukan should pay for the crimes he committed, including the killing of at least 30 soldiers.
"Susukan and his men killed more than 30 of our soldiers and decapitated some of them. His group was also responsible for the bombings in Jolo and kidnappings for ransom," Lorenzana said in a text message.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) both said that the decision to grant amnesty to Susukan lies with the court.
"The matter of amnesty is beyond the AFP to comment on since that is a legal matter. It is an issue the resolution of which is rightfully vested upon the political decision makers to pass upon based on the recommendation of the Department of Justice. And whatever that decision will be, the AFP will support it," AFP spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.
"It is not within the PNP powers to grant the same that I think purely vested on the executive or I think through legislation in the legislative branch," Gamboa said in a virtual press briefing on Monday, August 17.
Police took custody of Susukan in Davao City on Thursday, August 13, after a surrender deal brokered by Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari.
The PNP and the AFP are set to file a joint appeal to transfer the venue of detention of Susukan to the AFP.
"For security considerations and Idang Susukan being a high value individual, the AFP through the Judge Advocate General and the PNP through the Intelligence Group will file before the court a joint motion to transfer custody of the accused Susukan to the AFP," said Arevalo.
Asked on the possible liabilities of Misuari for allegedly harboring a wanted criminal, Gamboa said it will depend on the court.
Earlier, Lorenzana said Susukan and Misuari arrived together in Davao City on Sunday, August 9. Susukan supposedly planned to have prosthetics done for his severed left hand.
Based on reports, Susukan stayed at Misuari's residence in Yñigue Subdivision in Maa, Davao City. Misuari turned him over to the police only on August 13.
Susukan had 23 standing arrest warrants for murder charges, five for kidnapping and serious illegal detention and six for frustrated murder. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/VoxPop Philippines)