Marwan alive, MNLF insists

MANILA, Philippines - The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) stood pat on its claim that international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, is still alive, denying reports that he was killed by police operatives during the bloody clashes with Muslim rebels in Maguindanao last week.

“As far as the MNLF is concerned, Marwan is alive,” MNLF spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla said.

Fontanilla maintained Zulkifli was in Lanao del Sur when Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action (SAF) forces raided his house in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao on Jan. 25.

Forty-four SAF members were killed during separate encounters with the groups of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Fontanilla challenged the government to get a DNA report from an independent body to prove that Zulkifli was indeed the man slain during the raid.

Marwan is a Malaysian bomb maker with a $5-million bounty from the US government. He was the high-value target, along with Basit Usman, of the operation of the PNP SAF in Mamasapano.

When asked about the photos that were released in the media, Fontanilla said it could have been “Photoshopped.”

A former military intelligence officer turned bounty hunter told The STAR that Zulkifli was alerted on the raid by an asset who had infiltrated the BIFF.

The BIFF reportedly uncovered the asset who was later killed.

The source said Zulkifli was able to board a pump boat to escape.

Fontanilla said an MNLF field commander reported Zulkifli was seen in a BIFF camp in Maguindanao.

“The high-value target of the PNP was not in the area when the raid took place,” he added.