Bombing suspect 'Engineer' a former MSU student

One of the suspects in the bombing of the Mindanao State University (MSU) gymnasium has been identified as a former student of the university who took up BS Agricultural Engineering until 2007.

Kadapi Mimbesa or alias "Engineer" enrolled in MSU in 1993 and stopped in 1998. But he renrolled in 2007 but was unable to finish the course, according to a one of the Board of Regents of MSU.

According to Mav Gonzales' report on "State of the Nation," Mimbesa on Sunday was said to have kept to himself, appeared tense, and busy with his cellphone.

CCTV footage showed him leaving the gymnasium at 9 a.m. followed by the other suspect Arsani Membisa alias Khatab 20 minutes before the blast.

“Bago nangyari yung pagsabog ay nakita po sila itong dalawa nating POIs na papalabas ng MSU at yung mismong yung isang POI natin ay it appears na tumawag po siya gamit yung cellphone niya. That might have triggered po itong pagsabog at immediately umalis kaagad agad sila ng MSU pagkatapos po nilang gumamit ng telepono,” said Philippine National Police spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo.

“Yung isa mga POIs po natin, nakita rin po sa backtracking na umalis na po sila papalabas ng MSU,” she added.

(We saw the two POIs leaving the MSU before the explosion. One of the POIs appeared to make call with his cellphone. That might have triggered the explosion and they immediately left MSU after they used the phone.)

Both persons of interest and a third unnamed suspect are said to be alleged members of terrorist group Daulah Islamiyah-Maute and have outstanding warrants of arrest. 

Alias Khatab is wanted for murder. Alias Engineer is said to be an expert in making improvised explosive devices.

Meanwhile, government officials have ensured that a manhunt is being conducted to capture the suspects behind the blast.

The government also offered additional rewards for whoever would be able to locate the possible suspects, in addition to a P600,000 bounty for alias ‘Engineer.' —Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/NB, GMA Integrated News