'Dead' JI leaders are alive

MANILA, Philippines - Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) leaders Marwan and Muawiya, allegedly killed in an airstrike on February 2 in Sulu, are still alive, according to senior intelligence sources.

The same sources told Rappler that the 2 terrorist leaders are being sheltered by members of the Abu Sayyaf in Patikul, Sulu.

The highest ranking JI leader in the Philippines is Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir, better known as Marwan, is a US-trained engineer and also heads Kumpulan Mujahidin Malaysia.

In the Philippines since 2003, he comes from a family of jihadists, including a brother arrested in Indonesia for a 2001 bombing and another brother arrested in the United States in 2007. The US is offering a US$5 million bounty for him.

Intelligence sources confirmed that Marwan was "wounded on his right leg."

Muawiya is a pseudonym of Singaporean Mohammad Ali. Intelligence sources said he "suffered from an injury on his neck and legs" during the attack which killed their long-time host, Abu Sayyaf leader Umbra Jumdail, better known as Dr Abu.

The 2, along with a third foreigner, have allegedly found santuary in Patikul, Sulu after the attack on Dr. Abu's hideout.

The most senior Abu Sayyaf leader now, Radullan Sahiron has warned his followers the JI members pose a greater danger to them.

In the past, the JI leaders were closely intertwined with their Abu Sayyaf hosts. Muawiya was the English translator during the 2009 kidnapping of the members of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
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Rappler.com
Posted on 02/22/2012 8:12 PM  | Updated 02/24/2012 3:09 PM
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