Confirmation of Dulmatin's death out in a few days, says Razon

By Ronron
March 10, 2008

The confirmation or otherwise of the death of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) bomber Dulmatin will be known "hopefully in a few days," Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said Monday.

In a news conference at Camp Crame, Razon said they hope "to come up with a report already" based on the DNA test conducted by the PNP Crime Laboratory, the United States government, and the Australian Federal Police (AFP)."

A body of a slain Moslem extremist was exhumed early last month in Tawi-tawi after a local informant tipped off Marine officials that that could be Dulmatin's. The unidentified rebel was killed in an encounter last January 31 in said island province.

Dulmatin, an Indonesian, has a $10-million bounty on his head for his alleged participation in the bombings in Bali, Indonesia a few years back.

Razon said the DNA test was conducted at the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) laboratory, similar to the case of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Khadaffy Janjalani.

The tissues samples collected from the unidentified rebel's cadaver were to be compared with tissue samples taken from Dulmatin's children who earlier fell into the hands of Philippine authorities.

Razon said no more parallel DNA test is being conducted at the PNP Crime Laboratory.

"It's the PNP Crime Laboratory personnel (who is leading the test), assisted by the US and the Australian governments," he said./DMS