PNP: No confirmation yet on specimen supposedly taken from Usman

Published May 8, 2015 3:16pm

The Philippine National Police on Friday said there is still no confirmation on the possible specimen from suspected terrorist and bomb-maker Basit Usman who was reportedly killed on Sunday.

In a phone interview with GMA News Online, PNP spokesperson Senior Superintendent Bartolome Tobias said PNP Crime Laboratory continues to test the specimen to determine if it did come from Usman.

"Tsini-check pa nila, hindi pa natin alam kung kanino galing, wala pang confirmation na kay Usman iyon," Tobias said.

He also declined to answer when asked how the crime laboratory will determine from whom the specimen was taken from.

Asked if the PNP has DNA samples of Usman's family members to match the specimen: Tobias said he still has no information.

On Thursday, Tobias announced that the PNP is testing a possible specimen from Usman.

Usman was one of the targets of Oplan Exodus, a PNP-Special Action Force mission in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25.

Malaysian terrorist Marwan, or Zulkifli bin Hir, was killed during the operation. A clash between the SAF and members of the MILF, BIFF, and other armed groups during the mission left 66 people dead. — Amanda Fernandez/RSJ, GMA News

Tags: basitusman, abdulbasitusman