AFP: We will capture terror leader Marwan 'sooner or later'

MANILA, Philippines - The military on Thursday said that it is certain that it would be able to capture Malaysian terrorist and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) leader Marwan “sooner or later.”

Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said efforts are underway to track down Marwan and his supporters.

“We consider Marwan as a fugitive on the run and slowly we will get to him. We will catch him sooner or later,” Zagala said in an interview Thursday.

“Our operations (against) Marwan are ongoing,” he added.

In 2012, the military claimed that 15 terrorists, including three of the most wanted Al-Qaeda-linked militants, were slain in an air raid staged by security forces in Parang Sulu.

Initial reports said among those who were killed during the operation were Abu Sayyaf leader Gumbahali Jumdail alias Dr. Abu, Muhammad Ali Bin Abd Al-Rahman alias Mauwiyah, and Marwan, whose real name is Zulkipli Bin Hir.

The air strike – said to be supported by the United States - was conducted on Feb. 2, 2012 at around 3 a.m. in barangay Duyan Kabau in Parang town.

The claim that Marwan was killed in the air strike was refuted by captured Abu Sayyaf leader Khair Mundos, who admitted during an interrogation that he met with the JI leader in Maguindanao last year.

Marwan is a Malaysian terrorist and bomb expert who is said to be the overall head of JI in the Philippines.

He has been charged of multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder, and multiple attempted murder. The US has put up a $5-million bounty for his capture while the Philippines has offered P7.4 million.

Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Maj. Gen. Eduardo Año earlier said there have been “consistent” reports about Marwan’s presence in Cotabato area.

“As far as we are concerned, there is a big possibility that Marwan is still alive,” Año said.

“There are sources claiming that they have met Marwan and there was no really concrete evidence that would show that he was killed during the military offensive I think two years ago,” he added.