MANILA, Philippines — Loved ones of the 44 fallen police commandos of the Special Action Force (SAF) are about to receive copies of the report confirming the death of a known terrorist.
Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr., Philippine National Police spokesman, said the results of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's DNA test on Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, were sent to families of the SAF operatives killed in a botched January 25 operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in an effort to remind them of the purpose of the policemen's deaths.
"In a way gusto ni Kalihim [Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas III] na ... ibahagi sa kanila yung tagumpay nitong Oplan Exodus," Cerbo said in a televised press briefing on Friday.
"Gusto rin naming madala nila na given yung pagdadalamhati nila sa pagkamatay ng kanilang mahal sa buhay, naging successful naman yung operation," Cerbo added.
In a statement earlier this week, the FBI said that the biological sample, reportedly from Marwan's index finger, matches that of Marwan's relative detained in the United States.
READ: Marwan dead, DNA test confirms
"Although the results of the DNA examinations do not provide absolute identification, the results do support that the biological sample provided by Philippine authorities came from Marwan," said David Bowdich, FBI Los Angeles assistant director in charge.
"Further testing and analysis will be conducted by laboratory examiners in an effort to fully identify the subject of DNA provided to the FBI," Bowdich explained.