An Indonesian professor at the Mindanao State University in Sulu claimed Thursday that suspected terrorist Joko Pitoyo alias Dulmatin died way back in May 2007, ABS-CBN Regional Network Group reported.
Professor Octavio Dinampo said he was shocked when he heard reports of the recovery of the supposed body of Dulmatin, correspondent Leila Vicente said.According to Dinampo, it was religious leader Mohammad Sulaiman who told him that the fugitive and suspect in the 2002 Bali bombings has been dead for close to a year.
Based on Sulaiman's story, Dinampo said that Dulmatin died because of a gunshot wound he suffered during an encounter with the military in Sulu. Dulmatin was able to escape the encounter but was left by his companion and fellow Indonesian Umar Patek in Sulu.
Dinampo said that Sulaiman himself witnessed Dulamtin's the secret burial in Indonesia.
An ABS-CBN source, however, said story is not credible. According to the source, he was with Dulmatin as recently as December 2007.
Meanwhile, United States Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney said that officials should wait for the DNA test being done on the tissue samples of the supposed cadaver of Dulmatin before statements are released regarding his death.
On Wednesday, members of the Philippine Marines who penetrated the camp of the armed group tagged in the killing of Catholic priest Rey Roda in Panglima Sugala town in Tawi-tawi province were in high spirits and said they are certain that it was Dulmatin who died during an encounter on January 31. Lt. Col. Ruben Candelario, commander of the Force Recon Battalion said they are certain it was Dulmatin, one of the suspects in the Bali, Indonesia, bombings in 2002, who died in the clash.
Soldiers showed pictures to ABS-CBN Regional Network Group's Queenie Casimiro of the area where Dulmatin and at least 30 supporters were holed up for no less than 25 days leading to the encounter. Lt. Pacifico Nono, a company commander of the Force Recon, said they are positive that Dulmatin was in the house raided in Sitio Lubok in Panglima Sugala.
Following the 30-minute clash, the armed men withrew, the military said. They left behind the remains of a suspected Abu Sayyaf commander identified as Wahab Upao.
Civilian informants disclosed later that another suspect was fatally wounded in the firefight.
The soldiers added that two weeks after the clash, they recovered a blood-stained T-shirt which they suspect to be the one Dulmatin was wearing during the encounter. A day later, troops, with the help of residents, found a shallow grave where a body believed to be Dulmatin's was buried.
The military, meanwhile, is validating reports that Patek was among those wounded in the encounter with government troops that also supposedly killed his compatriot Dulmatin and Abu Sayyaf leader Wahab Opao in Tawi-Tawi last month. A ranking intelligence officer said they are validating the claims of captured Abu Sayyaf rebel Alpha Moha, who also led troops to a shallow grave containing the supposed remains of Dulmatin.
Moha said Dulmatin was initially injured during the encounter with government troops in Panglima Sugala. In that encounter, Opao, who carries a P2-million bounty for his capture, was killed. The official said there were reports that during the encounter, Patek was with the group of Opao.
We are now verifying reports from our civilian contacts that aside from Dulmatin, Patek was also critically wounded in the fighting, the official said. He said the reports indicated Patek was also wounded during the encounter with special forces in the area.
Moha had admitted participating in that encounter and recalled seeing Dulmatin seriously wounded and being dragged to safety by the Abu Sayyaf rebels retreating from the firefight. |
A body believed to be that of Indonesian terrorist leader Dulmatin, wanted for the October 2002 Bali bombings, was recovered Monday afternoon by a joint military team in Tawi-Tawi province.