A high-value suspected terrorist linked to Jemaah Islamiyah was
“likely” killed during Sunday’s law enforcement operation in Mamasapano,
Maguindanao, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.
“On Sunday, 25 January 2015, the PNP Special Action Force (PNP-SAF)
conducted a law enforcement operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao to
arrest a high-value suspected terrorist, Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as
Marwan, who was allegedly a member of the Markaziyah, Jemaah
Islamiyah’s central command,” Secretary Coloma said.
“The
PNP-SAF performed this mission with courage and professionalism. Based
on latest reports, there is a high likelihood that the primary target,
Marwan, has been neutralized,” Coloma added.
He said President Benigno S. Aquino III has instructed Interior
Secretary Manuel Roxas and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin to leave
for Cotabato to supervise the ongoing operation, along with Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Gregorio Catapang and
PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina.
Coloma further said that according to the AFP, a ceasefire was enforced starting 5 p.m. on Sunday.
“By 7 p.m. last night, the AFP had initiated retrieval operations in
coordination with the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front), the
international monitoring team and the Joint Coordinating Committee on
the Cessation of Hostilities. Retrieval operations are still ongoing,”
he said.
Coloma noted that the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) has been mobilized to give assistance to at least 200 families
affected by the ongoing operation in Maguindanao.
Meanwhile, the PNP confirmed that some 43 members of the SAF died and
11 were injured during the encounter with members of the MILF.
The police were in the area to arrest Malaysian terror suspect,
Marwan, and Filipino bomb-making expert, Abdul Bassit Usman, who have
been blamed for terror attacks in Mindanao.
Secretary Roxas said they would only confirm Marwan’s death once the DNA results are released.
Media reports have quoted Secretary Gazmin as saying that Bassir
Usman had escaped during Sunday’s operation. (PCOO News Release)
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