Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan was only one of the many leaders of a new terrorist group in Mindanao, a report from GMA's “24-Oras” program said Wednesday.
According to the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, there are four other founders of the Khilafa Islamiyah Mindanao.
Marwan was killed in a police operation in Mamasapano, Maguidanao on Jan. 25.
The group identified its other surviving leaders as Amir M, Amir Abtol Rahman, Amir Kuptu and Amir Human Abdul Najid.
The new terrorist group is composed of members from the Jemaah Islamiyah, Abu Sayyaf Group and other members of armed rebel groups.
Filipino bomb maker Basit Usman who was also a primary target during the Mamasapano operation but reportedly escaped with a shoulder wound was also identified as the KIM's leader in Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Maguindanao.
According to the data from the group, the KIM also has leaders in Davao, Western Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, and the National Capital Region.
[Video report]
[Video report]
According to PIPVTR Chairman Prof. Rommel Banlaoi, terror groups like these with international terrorist members such as Marwan definitely had backers in the country.
“Hindi mag thathrive ang isang foreign terrorist personality sa isang lugar kung walang local support at local handler or walang local protection,” Banlaoi said.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front which controls the area where Marwan was killed has repeatedly denied they were coddling Marwan and Usman.
But even with this development, Banlaoi was confident that Government forces can handle the threat posed by the KIM.
“'Yung mga law enforcement authorities natin mayroon na silang better understanding ng terrorist threats kaya 'yung preventive measures nila ay mas matindi ngayon,” he said.
“Kaya mas equiped sila ngayon at mas malalim na rin 'yung kaalaman ng ating law enforcement authorities sa banta ng terorismo,” he added.
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