AFP receives report Malik dead

An image of Khabier Malik posted at the main entrance of Central Police Station in Zamboanga City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/EDWIN BACASMAS

MANILA, Philippines – The military has received reports that Habier Malik, the ground commander of the group from the Moro National Liberation Front that launched an attack on Zamboanga City last September, is dead.

Colonel Jose Johriel Cenabre, Commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade based in Sulu, said that they have reports that Malik died of complications from diabetes.

“He was badly wounded…he was trying to fast. He did not get proper treatment,” he told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday.

He said the information was still for validation.

Malik, the most trusted commander of MNLF leader Nur Misuari, reportedly died in Sulu.

He was also last spotted alive in Kalingalan Caluang in Sulu.

A previous news report quoted MNLF spokesman Absalom Cerveza as saying that Malik died three weeks ago. His wounds from the three-week gunbattle did not heal due to diabetes.

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