AP: Filipino troops still search for terrorist

The remains of a top leader of the regional Jemaah Islamiyah terror network have not been found, the Philippine military said Friday, a day after announcing that he had been killed in a U.S.-backed airstrike.

Troops on the ground were still combing the jungle camp that was hit Thursday for the body of Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan, said regional military spokesman Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang.

Military officials said at least 15 people were killed in the dawn strike on a militant camp on remote southern Jolo Island, including two other high-level leaders. A military spokesman in Manila, Col. Marcelo Burgos, initially reported that Marwan was among them.

Marwan's death would mark a major success in disrupting a militant network blamed for some of the most spectacular bombing attacks in Southeast Asia in recent years. But if the initial report proves incorrect, it would turn a largely successful strike into at least a partial embarrassment for the Philippine military, while burnishing the reputation of the elusive terrorist.

The U.S. has offered a $5 million reward for the capture of Marwan, a U.S.-trained engineer accused of involvement in deadly bombings in the Philippines and in training militants.

Cabangbang, who is based in southern Zamboanga city, from where the bomber planes in Thursday's strike took off, said that the military's announcement of Marwan's killing was based on information provided by informants. He refused to elaborate, saying it would compromise their intelligence assets.

"We are still searching. Our troops are still there," Cabangbang said.

He suggested that the blast could have obliterated Marwan's body, saying the process of verification linked to the possible disbursement of the reward money to informants will be "more tedious" and could include DNA testing.

Two Philippine security officials with knowledge of the airstrike who spoke to The Associated Press also said Marwan's body was not found, though bombs shattered the house where he was believed to have been.

One of the officials confirmed the deaths of the other two other high-level leaders: Umbra Jumdail, who led the Philippine-based Abu Sayyaf militant group, and a Singaporean leader in Jemaah Islamiyah, Abdullah Ali, who used the guerrilla name Muawiyah. The other official confirmed only the death of Jumdail, also known as Dr. Abu Pula, and his son.

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters.

Cabangbang said the decision to announce the killings, including that of Marwan, was made by the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Gen. Jessie Dellosa, after he was briefed by commanders.