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Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan” and Basit Usman, who are associated with the Jemaah Islamiyah group, were subjects of the bloody police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
There have been reports saying that Marwan was killed in the encounter that left 44 members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF) dead. There are also reports that say he is still alive. By contrast, reports have consistently stated that Usman escaped.
“However, in an interview with radio dzMM, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla said Marwan wasn’t even in Mamasapano,” reports ABS-CBNnews.com.
He stated in Filipino, “As far as we know, their subject wasn’t even there. He was not in Mamasapano. He was in Lanao.”
Fontanilla added: “Their intelligence reports was wrong. They should have asked us.”
The report noted that “Fontanilla said government security forces did not ask the MNLF about the whereabouts of Marwan.” He had alsopointed out that some elements of the MNLF, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) are blood relatives. Thus, he said they would have reliable sources.
The report likewise explained: “Marwan is the country’s most wanted Islamist militant and the United States has offered a US$5 million reward for him, while a US$1 million reward has been posted for Usman.”
Photo: News clips
