Top intel exec says Malaysian terrorist may be alive

MANILA, Philippines - The military’s top intelligence official confirmed Wednesday that Malaysian terrorist Marwan may still be alive contrary to previous claims that he was killed in an air strike in Sulu two years ago.

Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Maj. Gen. Eduardo Año said there have been “consistent” reports about Marwan’s presence in Mindanao.

“As far as we are concerned, there is a big possibility that Marwan is still alive,” Año said.

“There are sources claiming that they have met Marwan and there was no really concrete evidence that would show that he was killed during the military offensive I think two years ago,” he added.

In 2012, the military reported that 15 terrorists, including three of the most wanted Al-Qaeda-linked militants, were killed in an air strike by security forces in Parang Sulu.

Officials claimed among those who were slain during the operation were Abu Sayyaf leader Gumbahali Jumdail alias Dr. Abu, Muhammad Ali Bin Abd Al-Rahman alias Mauwiyah, and Marwan, whose real name is Zulkipli Bin Hir.

The air strike, said to be backed by the United States (US), was conducted on Feb. 2, 2012 at around 3 a.m. in barangay Duyan Kabau in Parang town.

Marwan is a Malaysian terrorist and bomb expert who is said to be the overall leader of terror cell Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) in the Philippines.

He has been charged of multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder and multiple attempted murder. The US has put up a $5 million for his capture while the Philippines has offered P7.4 million.

Año said authorities are continuously conducting operations against Marwan, who is said to have been sighted in the Cotabato area.

“We assume that he is still alive and we are still doing intensified, focused intelligence operations against the remaining JI (members) in our country,” the intelligence chief said.

Año said there are about 10 to 12 JI members operating in the country.

“The most prominent is Marwan. The rest are not that prominent,” he said.

Año said they have received reports stating that Marwan’s group is talking with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that opposes the peace talks.