AFP RECOVERS/SEEKS TO IDENTIFY TERRORIST REMAINS

S E C R E T MANILA 003771

SIPDIS

NOFORN

STATE FOR EAP/MTS AND S/CT
STATE ALSO FOR DS/DSS/DO/PETERSON AND
DS/ICI/RFJ/SCHINDEL-GOMBIS
SECDEF/OSD/ISA/AP FOR ALLEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2015
TAGS: PTER MOPS MARR PREL PINS PINR ID RP
SUBJECT: AFP RECOVERS/SEEKS TO IDENTIFY TERRORIST REMAINS
IN MINDANAO

REF: MANILA 2105

Classified By: (U) Political Officer Paul O'Friel
for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (S/NF) Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) units
recovered on August 11 in the vicinity of Datu Odin, Sinsuat
in the Mindanao province of Maguindanao the remains of a
terrorist killed in an engagement a month earlier with AFP
troops tracking Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Khadaffy
Janjalani. AFP intelligence sources had indicated the
unburied body may be either that of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI)
bomber Umar Patek, or ASG member Hamad Idris. The AFP has
provided a tissue sample from the corpse to SIMO, which is
attempting to match the sample's DNA with that of one of
Patek's relatives.


2. (S/NF) We have received conflicting reports that either
or both Idris and Patek may be dead (despite local press
reports stating definitively that Patek was killed.) It will
take some time to determine the identity of the body and
Idris' and Patek's true fate. The AFP's 6th Infantry
Division, Scout Rangers, and Light Reaction Companies
continue the hunt in Maguindanao for Janjalani, JI bomber
Dulmatin, and other senior members of the ASG still at large.


Visit Embassy Manila's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm
JOHNSON