MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The military vowed today to capture a Malaysian militant who is believed to be alive and is currently operating in southern Philippines.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said operations are underway to neutralize Zulkifli bin Abdul Hir, alias Marwan, who was reportedly killed following an air strike in Sulu province two years ago.
"We consider Marwan as a fugitive on the run. We will catch him sooner or later. We will get him," Zagala said.
On Wednesday, Philippine military intelligence chief Major General Eduardo Ao said there are "strong indications" that the leader of Southeast Asian terror group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) is still alive and is roaming central Mindanao, citing reports gathered by the intelligence community.
In February 2012, AFP reported that Marwan and another JI member Mohammad Ali, alias Muawiyah, and 13 Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed in an air strike in Parang town, Sulu province. Their bodies, however, were not retrieved.