Marwan emails to brother...
2006, there have been efforts by the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) to get Marwan.
US court records describe Marwan as “an alleged high-ranking member of Jemaah Islamiyah, an al-Qaeda- affiliated foreign terrorist organization that operates in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.”
In September, 2003, the US government called Marwan a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” and in March 2007, the State Department added him to the most-wanted list of its Rewards for Justice program and authorized a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction.
E-mail exchanges
In the course of their communications, Marwan used the email address ikankariman@ yahoo. com and dutyfree97@yahoo.com, while Rahmat used the e-mail address ariman789@ yahoo.com.au. Their correspondence were usually written in Malaysian language.
The brothers used the names “Hulagu,” or “Holagu,” or “Lagu” in referring to Marwan. They also used “iron” for firearms, “dogs” for government agents, and “prizes” for bombs or improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Through their exchange of e amails, Marwan kept his elder brother (Rahmat) informed of his own activities in the Philippines. He also gave reports of battles that were occurring in the Mindanao between government troops and individuals or groups who were actively supporting him, “including, but but not limited to elements of the MILF.”
Marwan asked Rahmat to send him items such as accessories for firearms, backpacks, two-way radios, knives, and publications about firearms. Rahmat shipped the items from the US using various aliases for the sender, including “Sean Kasem,” “Sean Kalimin,” “Roy Kalimin,” and “Salam A. Jabar.” In place of Marwan’s name, the names “Muslimin Abdulmotalib” and “Norhana E. Mohamad” were used.
Some of the two-way radios sent by Rahmat to Marwan were allegedly used to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs), one of which killed five dead and wounded 29 in one bombing incident.
Some 2006 emails
In a July 4, 2006, email to Rahmat, Marwan stated, “My friend was just telling me again that there are four martyrs now. He is in the field right now. The other day, two of my friends from here (They’re about 5 km. from my location), went out to reinforce.” He expressed his desire to join the battle. “In the future I want to go when there is need for reinforcement. I can’t go by myself; I must have a local guide with me.”
He told his brother: “If I died a martyr and if there was some inheritance from the sale of dad’s land, please don’t forget about my two children here... Please don’t forget to transfer them into the same account that you’ve been using.”
On July 30, 2006, Marwan sent an email to Rahmat: “It looks like Hulagu needs to relocate again, because there is nobody strong enough to provide protection at the location. Need to use some money, because relocation requires money.”
In an Aug. 4, 2006, email, Rahmat sent Marwan a PNA news article about MILF 105th Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces commander Abu Hashim who was reported killed in an ambush while on his way to their clandestine camp.
On August 11, 2006, Marwan in his email to Rahmat, described an incident where police commandos launched an operation which he believed aimed to get him. “Thursday, 1:15 a.m., July 10th, 2006, approximately ten days after the death of A. Hashim, one squad of Special Action Forces (SAF) commandos, around 15 people, armed with M-4s, mini-M-60, 9mm pistols, 45 caliber pistols, night vision, and guided by government assets (spies) surrounded Lagu’s home with objective of capturing him (maybe alive). His house was broken into and the door got torn off. His wife and child were able to get out before the exchange of fire.”
“It was reported on TV and in the news. Most likely there was some coordination among the police, spies, and insiders (his neighbors) because the commandos knew exactly where he lived, the route to his house, and withdrawal routes,” said Marwan.
On Aug. 12, Rahmat emailed Marwan a news article from the Jakarta Post stating that he (Marwan) was the subject of a raid by PNP-SAF commandos that attempted to serve an arrest warrant but was engaged by MILF fighters in a 20-minute gun battle.
On Feb. 9, 2007, Marwan in his email to Rahmat, said: “Adan Abdula is the base commander of Division 106. He has his left foot on the MILF, and his right foot on Datu Andal. When they have battle with Amer Umra Kato from Division 105, his troops become Andal’s dogs.. merge with Andal’s troops. Was shot by someone...”
US spy planes
In his Feb. 11 email to Rahmat, Marwan told his brother about US spy planes hovering over his area.
“Last night ... hj abdtnkd called at around 12 o’clock to say not to sleep, the soldiers were planning to attack. at 12.30. He called again.. The spy plane Orion started to hover around 12.45.. At 1 o’clock, the shooting began within 1 km from Hulagus’s location, Bangla wakman. The soldiers were using a bazooka too, 105mm cannon. They were dropped within 200m-500m from Hulagu’s location.. It appears to be more then 10...the wind all the way in..”
On March 6, 2007, Marwan sent an email to Rahmat: “The latest update I heard was that 17 died as martyrs and more than 60 soldiers were killed. The American soldiers operated unmanned Predator spy plane, which has been hovering around more than four times above Bngla’s house. I am currently mobile, moving from one place to another.”
On March 6, 2007, Marwan informed his brother: “Spy planes have been hovering over this area these past two days. There is a big (US Orion).There is a small one that looks like an eagle (Predator)..This FM radio receiver has been picking up American voices during these past two days: ‘We are ready to launch”.. “
Indictment
In August, 2007, Marwan and Rahmat were charged with “conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists” and “providing material to support terrorists” before a US court. The indictment was based on the e-mail exchanges between the two brothers.
A raid conducted by Federal agents on Rahmat’s house in San Jose, California also yielded a cache of weapons, about 1,000 rounds of ammunition, sniper scopes, two- way radios, and military training manuals. Rahmat was arrested, while Marwan remained a hunted international terrorist.
Rahmat pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and is now serving time at the Federal Correctional Institution Lompoc, a low-security institution in Lompoc, California. He is due for release April 18, 2016
Marwan met his end last January 25 in a pre-dawn raid by the PNP-SAF at his safehouse in Barangay Pidsandawan, Mamasapano town, Maguindanao. In the same operation, 44 police commandos were killed and 12 were wounded during the ensuing gun battle with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).