MNLF commander Malik 'obviously' dead – Gazmin

For Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Ustadz Habier Malik is "obviously" dead.

In an ambush interview with reporters on Monday, Gazmin said the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has yet to show evidence that the commander, who led more than 200 rebels in an attack on Zamboanga City from September 9 to 28, is still alive.

Asked if he thinks Malik is dead, Gazmin said, "Obviously."

"Wala tayong ebidensya, pero ang sinasabi nila, buhay. Eh kung talagang buhay, ipinakita na nila [si Malik]," Gazmin said.

"Matagal na. Bakit wala [pa]?" he added.

Gazmin recalled senior Abu Sayyaf leader Abu Sabaya, whom the military had claimed was killed in a shootout at sea in 2002, but whose body has not been recovered.

"Ganun din ang nangyari kay Abu Sabaya nung una, sabi wala, hindi namatay si Abu Sabaya, but up to now walang lumalabas na Abu Sabaya. Deduction lang 'yun," he said.

Gazmin added that the government it still "exerting all effort" to capture MNLF founder Nur Misuari, who supposedly ordered the attack on the city.

Last September, over 200 MNLF rebels attacked Zamboanga City, taking residents hostage and using them as human shields. Among the group's grievances is their claim that the government sidelined them in the peace process and abrogated the 1996 peace agreement between them, which the government has denied.

Misuari and at least 277 followers were charged with rebellion and violation of International Humanitarian Law in connection to the attack which left dozens dead on the part of civilians and state troops while over 200 on the rebels' side. — BM, GMA News