The DNA sample taken from a body killed in the bloody January 25 clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao was indeed that of Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed on Wednesday.
Statement by David Bowdich, Assistant Director in Charge – FBI Los Angeles Field Office:
As previously announced, following an apprehension operation by the Philippine National Police, the FBI received from our Philippine counterparts a biological sample of an unknown individual for testing. Evidentiary analysis at the FBI Laboratory is one of many services we provide to our law enforcement partners around the world. As we have reported to our Philippine law enforcement partners, preliminary results indicate that the DNA profiles obtained from the biological sample indicate a possible relationship with a known relative of Zulkifli Abdhir aka Marwan. Although the results of the DNA examinations do not provide absolute identification, the results do support that the biological sample provided by Philippine authorities came from Marwan. Further testing and analysis will be conducted by laboratory examiners in an effort to fully identify the subject of DNA provided to the FBI.
The FBI’s case against Marwan is one of many investigations we have conducted in cooperation with our Philippine counterparts. We express our deepest condolences to the brave officers of the Special Action Force, who lost their lives while attempting to apprehend a dangerous fugitive. Our partnership with the Philippine National Police is among the strongest in the world, and we will continue to work in close cooperation to identify, disrupt, and dismantle terrorist networks. (Source: GMA News)
A source told SecurityMatters said that based on DNA analysis conducted by the FBI, the sample taken from Marwan’s right index finger matched with the DNA sample from his brother who is under US government custody.
The FBI has earlier confirmed receiving a biological sample from the Philippines following the covert Mamasapano operation.
In earlier interviews, sacked Special Action Force (SAF) director Chief Superintendent Getulio Napenas Jr. said that SAF operatives were able to “neutralize” Marwan during the encounter that also killed 44 members of the elite police force.
Now that Marwan’s death has been confirmed, the US$5-million bounty on his head will be awarded to the informant who told about his whereabouts.
