AFP validating Islamic State's hand in MSU bomb attack

The Philippine military on Monday said it is validating the claim of Islamic State that it is responsible for Sunday's fatal bombing of the Dimaporo Gymnasium in  Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City.

Aside from Islamic State, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad said the military is also checking the possible involvement of Dawlah Islamiyah - Maute Group in the attack that killed four people. 

“The AFP is validating the claims made by ISIS in the recent news reports as well as the involvement of the DI-Maute Group in this heinous acts of terror,” Trinidad told reporters.

The military and the police are looking at the bomb signature used to determine what group is responsible for the explosion, according to Trinidad.

“The AFP is on heightened alert to ensure the safety of the public and that the perpetrators responsible will be apprehended and/or neutralized,” he said. 

“The AFP remains committed to its mandate of protecting the people and the state from all various threat groups, foreign and domestic,” he added. 

The Islamic State group, which wields influence in the country's south, said on Telegram that its members had detonated the bomb, according to a Reuters report.

Bangsamoro Police Regional Office chief Police Brigadier General Allan Nobleza said they have already identified more than two persons of interest in the bombing. 

“We have persons of interest and one of our persons of interest pointed on 'yung local terrorist,” he said. 

“Mayroon kaming (we have) persons of interest but the investigation is still ongoing. In order not to preempt the investigation we will not divulge the names,” he added.

Nobleza said police are looking at different angles in the investigation.

The blast occurred at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday as a Mass was being held at the gym attended by students and teachers.

According to Nobleza, four people were killed and 45 others were hurt. Of the wounded individuals, 35 have been released from the hospital.

At least 10 wounded persons are still at the hospital and five of them are critically injured, the police official said. —KBK, GMA Integrated News