Only court can decide if Susukan was arrested or surrendered to authorities: PNP

August 17, 2020

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said only court can decide if Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Abduljahid "Edang" Susukan was arrested or voluntarily surrendered last August 13.

Police General Archie Gamboa, in his virtual press briefing, said they are preparing their report to Abdulmoin Pakam, Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 5 of Bongao, Tawi-tawi on the implementation of the warrant of arrest they issued against Susukan.

“As to the appreciation on how he was arrested, if he voluntarily surrendered we will lay down the facts to the courts involved and you know when it comes to like that it is upon the appreciation of the court,” he said.

“So only the court can determine whether it's voluntary surrender, whether it is arrest or capture based on the prevailing circumstances that has taken place during that incident,” he added.

Gamboa said appropriate coordination where done so that there will be no actual confrontation when they got Susukan.

 Asked on how Susukan entered Davao City without being noticed, the PNP chief said they still have to find out what happened.

“There were different versions that came out in the social media but the concern of the PNP is that after that knowing the presence of Susukan in Davao (City) then we caused the arrest on that note,” he said.

Gamboa said, with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), they will seek the disposition of the court to transfer the venue of detention of the accused from PNP to the AFP.

“With Susukan in custody, we can now serve all other outstanding warrants of arrest issued against him as soon as we obtain copies of the orders of arrest,” he said.

Gamboa added the PNP medical personnel will continue to monitor his health condition. Ella Dionisio/DMS