SAF targeted another Malaysian terrorist

MANILA, Philippines - Commandos of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) targeted two suspected Malaysian terrorists and a Filipino bomb maker in their raid in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25.

They killed Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, but his Filipino deputy, Basit Usman, and the second Malaysian escaped.

Forty-four SAF troopers died in ensuing clashes with guerrillas belonging to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and its breakaway faction, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). Eighteen guerrillas and four civilians also died.

The second Malaysian target was identified as Amin Baco, alias Jihad, in Oplan Exodus, SAF’s operational plan to take down the three suspected terrorists.

Like Marwan, Jihad was described as a member of the Jemaah Islamiyah, an expert IED (improvised explosive device) maker and wanted by the government and the United States for various bombings and kidnappings.

Jihad was also involved in kidnapping incidents in Sabah, Malaysia.

Oplan Exodus documents described Marwan as an IED-making expert and trainer. He was also good in hand-to-hand combat.

He was wanted by the government for multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder (Criminal case 552-2007) and was the subject of a “US Warrant CR 07-00501-02-JF.”

The US offered $5 million for Marwan’s capture.

Like Marwan, Usman is wanted for multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder (Criminal Case 515-2006).