Pinoy Gov't forces checking bodies of MNLF fighters for Malik

Authorities are now checking the remains of slain followers of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari to see if their leader, Habier Malik, is among them.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said they are still in the process of identifying the bodies of the MNLF members who had engaged government troops in 20 days of clashes, state-run Philippines News Agency reported.

"We are still in the process of identifying the bodies through all the test that is required to confirm Malik is one of them," he said.

He added the identification process “will take a while” since they are still getting the records on Malik.

Malik, a trusted aide of Misuari, is believed to have led the MNLF members who took civilian hostages and engaged government forces in a standoff. Earlier Saturday, Gazmin said the crisis was over, though clearing operations will still be conducted.

The PNA report said government forces have retrieved at least 100 bodies of slain MNLF members in Martha at Barangay Sta. Catalina.

It said at least 167 MNLF rebels had been killed as of Saturday noon.

Meanwhile, a separate report by radio dzBB's Benjie Liwanag Jr. said Gazmin and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II are to fly back to ManilaSaturday. – KDM, GMA News