The United States government is offering a $5 million (P250-M) reward for information leading to the capture of a Malaysian bomber believed to be hiding in the Philippines since 2003. A statement issued late last month by the US State Department said Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice authorized the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Zulkifli bin Hir, 40, who also goes by the name of Marwan. Bin Hir is a US-trained engineer believed to be involved in several deadly bomb attacks in the Philippines.

He is said to be the leader of the Kumpulun Mujahidin Malaysia terrorist organization, part of the Jemaah Islamiyah central command, and a senior leader in several Southeast Asian terrorist groups linked to the al-Qaeda. Bin Hir is believed to have been staying with the Abu Sayyaf Group in Mindanao since August 2003 and has trained ASG members in bomb-making. His younger brother Taufik bin Abdul Halim is allegedly in prison in Indonesia for his involvement in the bombing of the Jakarta Atrium mall in Jakarta in 2001. The State Department said anyone with information on Bin Hir may contact the following: www.rewardsforjustice.net; Hotline: 1-800-US-REWARDS (1-800-877-3927); mail: Rewards for Justice, Washington DC 20522-0303. Informants outside the US may also contact the Regional Security Office at the US Embassy or consulate. The US Reward for Justice program has already paid out more than $62 million since 1984 to more than 40 informants who helped capture terror suspects. The State Department said informants in the Philippines have received at least $1.6 million in reward money.