AFP still tracking down 5 foreign militants linked to Bin Laden

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – The military said it has not ceased tracking down at least five foreign militants connected with Osama bin Laden who are hiding in southern Philippines.

The soldiers have been receiving unverified information on the possible presence of two Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) personalities identified as Zulkifli Abdhir and a certain Muawiyah, according to Marine Brig. Gen. Romeo Tanalgo, chief of the Sulu Island Command.

Zulkipli, a Malaysian, is also known as Marwan, while Muawiyah is also known as Manobo.

The two JI militants were among the 10 foreign-based terrorists who were previously reported to have been operating in Mindanao until the intensified hunt on Dulmatin and Umar Patek.

The two, who were considered leaders of the militant group, managed to slip out from Central Mindanao to Sulu.

They were eventually neutralized in two separate raids in Jakarta and Pakistan in 2009 and February this year.

Tanalgo said three other suspected foreign militants – Saad, Qayyim and Amin Baco – were recently identified by the intelligence unit but they were not monitored in Sulu.

“We have not ceased from tracking down these personalities even after the death of Osama bin Laden,” according to Tanalgo.

He said every time they have an encounter with the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu, the presence of Zulkipli is being verified.

The military said the death of bin Laden has made stronger their resolve to capture or neutralize the foreign-based militants seeking refuge with the local Abu Sayyaf group.