Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MANILA1464
2008-06-18 10:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manila
Cable title:
DNA RESULTS NEGATIVE FOR SUPPOSED DULMATIN REMAINS
how-toVZCZCXRO2193 OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHML #1464 1701058 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 181058Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY MANILA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1048 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 001464
SIPDIS
STATE FOR S, D, S, S/CT, EAP CA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2010
TAGS: CASC KJUS MCAP MOPS PINS PTER RP
SUBJECT: DNA RESULTS NEGATIVE FOR SUPPOSED DULMATIN REMAINS
REF: MANILA 426 (POSSIBLE REMAINS OF TERRORIST
DULMATIN RECOVERED)
Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 001464
SIPDIS
STATE FOR S, D, S, S/CT, EAP CA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2010
TAGS: CASC KJUS MCAP MOPS PINS PTER RP
SUBJECT: DNA RESULTS NEGATIVE FOR SUPPOSED DULMATIN REMAINS
REF: MANILA 426 (POSSIBLE REMAINS OF TERRORIST
DULMATIN RECOVERED)
Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary: DNA testing by FBI laboratories confirmed on
June 18 that a corpse unearthed on Tawi-Tawi Island in the
course of an operation by the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) is not the remains of Dulmatin, a prominent Jemaah
Islamiyah terrorist who masterminded the Bali bombings in
October 2002. Mission coordinated with Embassy Jakarta to
release this information simultaneously to both the
Philippine armed forces and police as well as Indonesian
authorities. Mission has prepared press guidance to address
expected media inquiries (see para 3). End Summary.
2. (C) On March 3, Mission LEGATT office received from the
Philippine National Police (PNP) tissue samples from
purported remains of Dulmatin found on the island of
Tawi-Tawi. The remains were hand-carried back to the FBI
laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, for analysis. On May 29,
representatives from the Philippine National Police and the
Indonesian National Police traveled to the FBI laboratory,
where the Indonesian Police provided verified DNA samples
from Dulmatin's mother and brother to the FBI and Philippine
National Police.
3. (C) The FBI performed mitochondrial DNA examinations and
on June 18 informed Post LEGATT that test results from the
Tawi-Tawi remains did not match DNA from Dulmatin's mother
and brother.
4. (C) The Ambassador informed Philippine National Police
Chief Avelino Razon and Armed Forces Chief of Staff General
Alexander Yano of the results of the testing. Both expressed
their disappointment, but reaffirmed their country's
commitment to defeating terrorism and continuing the pursuit
of individuals who threaten peace and prosperity in the
Philippines. LEGATT also sent letters to Philippine
authorities outlining the results. Ambassador offered
additional briefings by LEGATT to police or armed forces
staff if desired.
5. (U) Embassy's press guidance follows:
DULMATIN DNA RESULTS
Q: What is the latest on the corpse that might be
Dulmatin's? What are the results of the DNA test?
At the request of the AFP and the PNP along with the
Indonesian National Police, the U.S. government assisted with
the mitochondrial DNA examination and comparison of known and
suspect samples in this matter. However, I would direct you
to the PNP for any additional questions.
We congratulate the AFP for their dedication in seeking out
and finding international terrorists whose presence in the
Southern Philippines is a source of ongoing violence and
destruction that prevents citizens from moving forward toward
peace, prosperity, and development.
We have a strong partnership with the Philippine government
and welcome the opportunity to assist Philippine authorities.
(If pressed)
DNA analysis is a service routinely provided by the FBI
Laboratory to federal, state, local, and international
partner law enforcement agencies that may require specialized
services or requirements which are not otherwise available.
KENNEY
SIPDIS
STATE FOR S, D, S, S/CT, EAP CA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2010
TAGS: CASC KJUS MCAP MOPS PINS PTER RP
SUBJECT: DNA RESULTS NEGATIVE FOR SUPPOSED DULMATIN REMAINS
REF: MANILA 426 (POSSIBLE REMAINS OF TERRORIST
DULMATIN RECOVERED)
Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary: DNA testing by FBI laboratories confirmed on
June 18 that a corpse unearthed on Tawi-Tawi Island in the
course of an operation by the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) is not the remains of Dulmatin, a prominent Jemaah
Islamiyah terrorist who masterminded the Bali bombings in
October 2002. Mission coordinated with Embassy Jakarta to
release this information simultaneously to both the
Philippine armed forces and police as well as Indonesian
authorities. Mission has prepared press guidance to address
expected media inquiries (see para 3). End Summary.
2. (C) On March 3, Mission LEGATT office received from the
Philippine National Police (PNP) tissue samples from
purported remains of Dulmatin found on the island of
Tawi-Tawi. The remains were hand-carried back to the FBI
laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, for analysis. On May 29,
representatives from the Philippine National Police and the
Indonesian National Police traveled to the FBI laboratory,
where the Indonesian Police provided verified DNA samples
from Dulmatin's mother and brother to the FBI and Philippine
National Police.
3. (C) The FBI performed mitochondrial DNA examinations and
on June 18 informed Post LEGATT that test results from the
Tawi-Tawi remains did not match DNA from Dulmatin's mother
and brother.
4. (C) The Ambassador informed Philippine National Police
Chief Avelino Razon and Armed Forces Chief of Staff General
Alexander Yano of the results of the testing. Both expressed
their disappointment, but reaffirmed their country's
commitment to defeating terrorism and continuing the pursuit
of individuals who threaten peace and prosperity in the
Philippines. LEGATT also sent letters to Philippine
authorities outlining the results. Ambassador offered
additional briefings by LEGATT to police or armed forces
staff if desired.
5. (U) Embassy's press guidance follows:
DULMATIN DNA RESULTS
Q: What is the latest on the corpse that might be
Dulmatin's? What are the results of the DNA test?
At the request of the AFP and the PNP along with the
Indonesian National Police, the U.S. government assisted with
the mitochondrial DNA examination and comparison of known and
suspect samples in this matter. However, I would direct you
to the PNP for any additional questions.
We congratulate the AFP for their dedication in seeking out
and finding international terrorists whose presence in the
Southern Philippines is a source of ongoing violence and
destruction that prevents citizens from moving forward toward
peace, prosperity, and development.
We have a strong partnership with the Philippine government
and welcome the opportunity to assist Philippine authorities.
(If pressed)
DNA analysis is a service routinely provided by the FBI
Laboratory to federal, state, local, and international
partner law enforcement agencies that may require specialized
services or requirements which are not otherwise available.
KENNEY