PNP: DNA test results confirm death of Basit Usman

The Philippine National Police on Friday confirmed the death of suspected terrorist and bomb-maker Abdul Basit Usman, citing the results of DNA tests.

Usman had been killed in an encounter with Moro Islamic Liberation Front forces last May 3 in Maguindanao.

According to the PNP, its Crime Laboratory confirmed the maternal relationship between the DNA profile of skin tissue specimen from Usman's body with the DNA profile of his mother.

It added another DNA match was established between Usman and his nephew.

Earlier, the PNP Crime Laboratory collected saliva samples from Usman's mother Singkorya Dagkog Usman, and his nephew Hairudin Balt Usman.

Police had also obtained the sworn statements of two barangay officials in Guindulungan, Maguindanao, who positively identified the remains of Usman.

"Both barangay officials were also able to take snapshot photos of Usman’s body using their own camera phones," the PNP said.

'99.9 percent'

PNP Crime Laboratory head Chief Superintendent Theresa Ann Cid said the “probability of Singkorya’s maternal relationship with Basit Usman is 99.9 percent.”

The DNA test result also showed “Basit is paternally related to Hairudin Balt Usman,” Cid added.

PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, said these results, along with witnesses’ statements, affirmed earlier pronouncements by the military that Usman and some of his followers were killed in an encounter with the MILF's 106th Brigade last May 3 in Sitio Balas, Barangay Upper Muti, Guindulungan, Maguindanao.

Specimen

Meanwhile, the PNP cited a report from Criminal Investigation and Detection Group head Director Benjamin Magalong that a skin tissue specimen was submitted to CIDG by a member of the MILF 106th Brigade last May 8 in Camp Crame.

It said the MILF member also submitted a sheet of bond paper with alleged fingerprints and bloodstains of Basit Usman.

According to Magalong, the MILF member also executed a sworn statement before CIDG officials saying he took the specimen from the body of Usman after he was killed.

"The witness averred that he personally knew Basit Usman because they formerly served together under the MILF 105th Base Command and later in the BIFF," the PNP said, referring to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a breakaway group of the MILF.

Fugitive

The defense and interior departments earlier offered a P6.3-million reward for information leading to Usman's arrest.

The US Justice Department's Rewards for Justice Program also offered up to $1 million for information leading to the arrest of Usman.

It described Usman as a Filipino bomb-making expert with links to the Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf Group and Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist groups. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News