Teodoro: There was failure to appreciate intel in MSU blast

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday said there was a failure to appreciate intelligence in connection with the bombing at Mindanao State University in Marawi City that left four people dead and wounded dozens more.

"I would like to echo Senator Dela Rosa's statement after we briefed him that there was a failure to appreciate intelligence," Teodoro said in an interview on ANC.

"And it is safe for me to say that had there been police or Armed Forces people inside the MSU compound, then appropriate security measures would have been done that would have forestalled this incident," he added.

For Teodoro, there was no failure of intelligence on the part of the Philippine National Police (PNP) or the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

When asked if it was a failure on the part of MSU officials, Teodoro said this is still under scrutiny.

"The fact is that the MSU has its own security force and AFP and PNP personnel are not allowed to enter MSU without their request or unless they have prior consent," he said

He earlier said this was "something the appropriate authorities must look into."

Authorities have tagged two members of the Dawlah Islamiyah - Maute Group as suspects in the attack, namely Kadapi Mimbesa or "Engineer," and Arsani Membesa or "Khatab."  — VDV, GMA Integrated News