By FROILAN GALLARDO, Special Correspondent
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has revoked an earlier order clearing a former mayor of Marawi City from arrest for suspicion of collaborating with ISIS-inspired Maute terror group.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza made the announcement in behalf of Defense Secretary Lorenzana, who served as Martial Law Administrator.
Dureza said after “a speedy review,” Lorenzana found basis to revoke the clearance for Solitario and his two sons effective Aug. 22.
Lorenzana, upon recommendation of Dureza, cleared the former Marawi Mayor Solitario and his two sons last Aug. 20.
The order was met with strong opposition from military and police officers, and town mayors in Lanao del Sur.
Lorenzana told Dureza he revoked his order dated Aug. 20 after realizing the controversy it generated among the officers and mayors.
“Based on the vehement objections of the AFP, PNP and local leaders in Marawi & Lanao Sur, I have recalled/cancelled the clearance I gave to Solitario and his two sons effective today. They are now subject to arrest.” Lorenzana said.
Dureza said they will “submit to the judgment call of Lorenzana.”
Solitario was earlier among the 125 persons ordered arrested for allegedly supporting the ISIS-Maute terror group last May 29.
His younger brother, Fahad “Fre” Salic was arrested at a police checkpoint in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental on June 7, 2017.
Solitario and Salic are facing rebellion raps in the Arrest Orders 1 and 2 issued by Lorenzana and the Martial Law administration.
Before he was ordered arrested, Solitario was tasked by President Rodrigo Duterte to negotiate with the ISIS-Maute group.
Duterte earlier accused Solitario of among the biggest drug lord in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur.
Solitario denied the allegations he was involved in the illegal drugs trade.
Dureza said Solitario have been providing him “with inputs on how to solve the ISIS-Maute problem”.
He said Solitario claimed close ties with the Maute brothers, Abdullah and Omar, by affinity.
Military officers on condition that they will not be identified, were in uproar after the order lifting Solitario from the arrest list.
A senior Army officer said they are sure Dureza will use Solitario to negotiate with the terrorists to end the Marawi siege.
“Dureza should have use Solitario before so we would have not suffered so many casualties,” the officer said.
Another officer said when they learned of it, many officers in the military thought President Duterte did really mishandled the crisis in marawi.
“Gini good time lang kami sa medalya pero in the end pala peace talks pa rin,” he said.
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