Monday, February 2, 2015

FBI DNA tests to conclusively determine Marwan's death -- AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 2): FBI DNA tests to conclusively determine Marwan's death -- AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday said the ongoing American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) tests on the alleged DNA samples of Malaysian terror bomber Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan will determine once and for all on whether the terrorist was slain during special operations conducted by government forces.

In the same encounter, 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were killed in the issuing battle with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao.

"The DNA testing that is currently undertaken will prove his (Marwan) reported death in Mamasapano on Jan. 25, 2015," said AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc.

Reports claimed that the SAF men were able to neutralize the Malaysian terrorist early in the battle.

The AFP earlier reported Marwan was killed during an airstrike in February 2012.

Cabunoc said the claim was based on the existing intelligence data during that time.

"However, the Chief-of-Staff AFP (at that time) Gen. Jessie Dellosa, did not endorse the approval of the cash reward claim for the informant because there was a validated report that Marwan was able to escape unharmed," he said.

The FBI is conducting DNA tests to determine if the man killed by SAF troopers during their covert operation in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao was indeed Marwan.

"The FBI has received from our Philippine counterparts a biological sample of an unknown individual for testing," said FBI Supervisory Special Agent Joshua Campbell.

He said the case is receiving immediate attention at the FBI laboratory, but did not give specific time frame for when these tests will be completed.

"Although tests are expected to be conducted promptly, analysis to determine specific associations to a particular individual typically require additional time," Campbell added.

"Once completed, results of the examination will be provided to our Philippine government partners," he stated.

Reports earlier indicated that the Philippines has sent DNA samples taken by SAF from what is believed to be the body of Marwan to the United States for confirmation.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=731552

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