Professor Marwan: Teacher also linked to Cagayan De Oro bombing in 2012

(Updated 7:58 a.m., Feb. 6) A professor in bomb-making.

 

This was how a Philippine National Police official described Zulkifli bin Hir, a.k.a. Marwan, the figure at the center of a clash that killed 44 Special Action Force troopers in Mamasapano, Maguindanao Jan. 25.

 

Superintendent Gervacio Balmaceda Jr., information officer of the Philippine National Police's Police Regional Office 10, also said Marwan may have ties to a Malaysian terrorist organization.

 

"(S)i Marwan ay parang professor siya, teacher, trainor in bomb-making," Balmaceda told GMA Northern Mindanao.

 

Marwan was also the suspect in the Bali bombing in 2002 and was considered a high-value anti-terrorism target.

 

His death was confirmed after the DNA sample from a body found at the site of the operation matched that of Marwan's based on a test conducted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 

Marwan had also been tagged by President Benigno Aquino III as the one behind the Maxandrea Hotel bombing in Cagayan de Oro City in October 2012.

 

Two people were killed in the incident, while a second bomb was found under a pickup truck of GMA Network's engineering unit.

 

Balmaceda said that while there was no "concrete" proof, Marwan's name figured in the intelligence reports.

 

Instead, the PNP Region 10 tagged one Francisco de Guzman - reportedly a brother-in-law of Marwan - as the one being the Maxandrea bombing.

 

However, the PNP has linked Marwan and three other suspects - believed to be his students - in the bombing.

 

"Actually si Marwan is an international terrorist. Alleged siya sa seal ng Jemaah Islamiyah at member din siya sa yung KMM (Kumpulan Mujahidin Malaysia) Malaysian terrorist organization," Balmaceda said.

 

In 2012, a bomb exploded outside the Maxandrea Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City.

 

At least one person was killed on the spot.

 

A second bomb was placed inside a bag that was slipped under a Nissan pickup of GMA News' Engineering Department.

 

GMA Transmitter Systems Engineer Allan Mangubat had been billeted at Maxandrea Hotel at the time. 

 

Mangubat did not notice the bag but was informed by the driver of another vehicle parked in the area that there was a bag under the pickup.

 

A police bomb squad conducting mopping-up operations for the first explosion discovered the bomb inside the bag.

 

Authorities also suspect Marwan or his student may have also been responsible for the Rosario Arcade bombing in July 2013, where four people were killed. 

 

Marwan is also being eyed as the suspect behind the bombing of a bus in Maramag, Bukidnon that killed 11 and injured 21. —Joel Locsin/NB/KG, GMA News