PNP: 2 more suspects linked to MSU bombing arrested

Two alleged members of Dawlah Islamiyah - Maute Group who were linked to the deadly bomb attack at Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City have been arrested, the police said on Thursday.
 

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said the suspects, identified as “Maausor” and “Monatanda/Titing” were arrested by a team composed of police and military personnel in Barangay Cabasaran, Lumbayanague in Lanao del Sur last December 9.

“According to the information that we received, after the incident ay dito po sa area tumakbo at nagtago sina alyas Engineer (it’s in this area where alias Engineer fled and hid),” Fajardo said.
 

Fajardo said investigators are still looking into the possible involvement of the two men in the December 3 bomb attack of a Roman Catholic Mass at the MSU’s Dimaporo Gymnasium that killed four people and wounded dozens more.

Both Maausor and Monatanda have warrants of arrest for murder, according to the PNP spokesperson.

On December 6, another person linked to the MSU bombing, identified as Jaafar Gamo Sultan alias Kulot, was arrested by Task Force Marawi in Barangay Dulay Proper, Marawi City.

She said authorities believe that the persons of interest earlier named in the bombing, Kadapi Mimbesa or “Engineer” and Arsani Membesa or “Lapitos,” planned the bomb attack at Sultan’s house.

Sultan is now facing charges for illegal possession of explosives and harboring a criminal.

Meanwhile, a P1 million reward is being offered for information on two other persons of interest (POIs) who were seen in CCTV footage during the incident.

“Meron na rin pong P1 million reward na nailabas for the immediate identification nitong dalawang POIs natin (P1 million rewards is offered for the immediate identification of these two POIs),” she said.

Authorities earlier said it is validating the claim of the Islamic State and Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute that they were responsible for the bomb attack. —RF, GMA Integrated News