US documents indicate Marwan's links to MILF

MANILA, Philippines — Documents from the United States District Court of the Northern District of California indicate links between Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday bared the documents showing the exchange of communication between Marwan and his brother, Rahmat Abdhir, through e-mail.

“It’s actual emails between the brothers and detalyado ang kwento ni Marwan tungkol sa MILF at sa role n'ya dito.  And this also continues to confirm that the Abu Sayyaf, the BIFF and MILF—because magkakamag-anak yung iba—continue to have links,” Cayetano told members of the press as seen on television.

The cover page of the court documents from the Northern District of California.

Cayetano claimed that MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal was lying when he denied the group's connection with the terrorist.

"It is becoming more and more clear, palinaw nang palinaw, na may intimate relationship si Marwan sa MILF, at buong kasinungalingan na sinasabi nilang hindi nila kilala at hindi nila pinoprotektahan si Marwan," Cayetano said.

Cayetano called for a thorough investigation of the January 25 clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao where 44 police commandos were killed in an encounter with MILF guerillas shortly after an operation targeting Marwan.

The Senate and House of Representatives hearings on the Bangsamoro Basic Law that involves negotiations with the MILF were suspended following the incident.

Cayetano reiterated that he is for peace but the MILF needs to prove tis commitment to the peace process by admitting their relationship with Marwan.

“Lahat tayo ay gusto ng  peace. Ang stand ko ay ituloy ang peace process. Huwag sa MILF, humanap tayo ng mga kausap dun na magbibigay ng tunay na peace,” Cayetano added.

The senator withdrew co-authorship from the proposed law a day after the Mamasapano incident.