FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — The Philippines military has killed three of the region’s most wanted terrorists, including Malaysian Zulkifli Khir, also known as Marwan, who was among the last leaders of the regional Jemaah Islamiyah terror network. Authorities said his death should help in winning the release of hostages, in particular Australian kidnap victim Warren Rodwell.

Marwan was killed in a U>S>-backed airstrike in a dawn raid on a militant base that resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people. Marwan carried a $5 million bounty on his head, and was wanted for training militants in bomb making and carrying out deadly attacks in the south.

Read more in The Diplomat.