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That operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao which left over 40 members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF) dead was supposed to have targeted two international terrorists: Zulkifli Bin Hir alias “Commander Marwan” and Basit Usman.
Now, there’s some confusion over the supposed death of Marwan.
“Marwan, was believed to have been neutralized in the firefight between the PNP and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao on Sunday, January 25,” reports GMA News Online.
However, as the report indicated, an exclusive report by GMA News Reporter Jiggy Manicad aired over 24 Oras, quoted a source who claimed that “the dead man believed by the PNP to be Marwan is actually one of his two Indonesian aides.”
Manicad said in Filipino, “According to a source trusted by GMA News, Marwan was able to escape along with Basit Usman while guarded by around 55 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).”
The report noted: “In an earlier statement, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said reports indicate that the PNP has neutralized Marwan.” However, Gazmin had also admitted, “Well, we have no confirmation but that was the report we got last night.”
In a report sent to NP Chief Deputy Director Leonardo Espina, SAF director Chief Superintendent Getulio Napenas Jr. said that were able to neutralize Marwan at around 2:30am on Sunday, Jan 25.
However, Napenas, who was recently relieved from his post, reported that “Marwan’s body was left in the area due to the heavy volume of fire coming from the side of the rebel groups.”
In any case, a Philstar.com report by Camille Diola offers some quick information about Marwan: “An engineer who studied in the United States, Marwan is also thought to be the head of the radical Kumpulun Mujahidin Malaysia and a member of Jemaah Islamiyah’s central command aiming to establish an Islamic caliphate in the region.”
