Marwan is dead; DNA matches brother's: source

MANILA (UPDATED) - DNA taken from a man killed by Special Action Force commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao has been confirmed to be that of Malaysian bomb-maker Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, a source from the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday.

The source said a DNA sample taken from the suspect killed in Mamasapano last January 25 matched that of Marwan's brother who is in Guantanamo Bay.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the DNA test.

Marwan, who belonged to terror group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), was on the most wanted list of the FBI with a $5-million bounty on his head.

Forty-four police commandos from the elite PNP-Special Action Force were killed by Moro rebels in the operation to kill Marwan last January 25.

The operation also claimed the lives of more than a dozen MILF rebels and civilians.

'OPLAN WOLVERINE'

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Gregorio Catapang earlier said President Benigno Aquino had informed him of the Mamasapano anti-terror operation, dubbed "Oplan Wolverine," as early as November last year.

Catapang told ANC the president also instructed him to coordinate closely with the Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (PNP-SAF).

Catapang, however, said Special Action Force head police director Getulio Napeñas did not give the AFP the date of the actual mission and also failed to coordinate with the AFP's ground commander on the day of the operation.

SEVERED FINGER

SAF troopers who killed Marwan severed his right index finger and took photos of his body because they couldn't carry it amid heavy fighting.

Another terrorist, Basit Usman, allegedly escaped.

Marwan's brother, Rahmat Abdhir, was arrested in California in 2007 on terrorism charges.

The two brothers, were allegedly in constant communication and talked about prices of assault rifles.

US authorities seized 1,000 rounds of ammunition, sniper rifle scopes, communication gear, military training manuals and bomb-making materials from Rahmat.

Their youngest brother, Taufik bin Abdul Halim, was also arrested for terrorism in 2001 for the Atrium Mall bombing in Jakarta, Indonesia.