Police name 2 Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute members as suspects in MSU blast

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday revealed the names of two Dawlah Islamiyah - Maute Group members who are suspects in the deadly bomb attack in Mindanao State University (MSU) over the weekend.

At a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo identified them as Kadapi Mimbesa or “Engineer” and Arsani Membesa or “Khatab.”

“Ang isa po nating suspect ay si Kadapi Mimbesa alyas 'Engineer.' Siya po iyong may dala po na nakita na bag na pinaniniwalaan natin pong pinaglalagyan ng bomba,” Fajardo said.

(One of the suspects is Kadapi Mimbesa alias 'Engineer.' He was the one seen carrying the bag we believe containing the bomb.)

“Ang pangalawa po nating person of interest ay si Arsani Membesa alyas ‘Khatab,’ ‘Hatab,’ at ‘Lapitos,’” she added.

(The second person of interest is Arsani Membesa with aliases Khatab, Hatab, and Lapitos.)

Both of them have warrants of arrest, according to Fajardo.

Kadapi is facing charges of kidnapping, serious illegal detentions, and illegal possession of explosives; while Arsani is facing a murder case.

Fajardo said the two were also involved in previous bombing incidents in Lanao, adding that the suspects used the same bomb signature in these supposed attacks.

The Police Regional Office BAR - Bangsamoro Autonomous Region is now preparing documents to file charges against the two suspects.

Based on the CCTV footage, Fajardo said the two suspects were seen exiting the university moments before the explosion.

“Iyong isang person of interest natin ay it appears na tumawag siya gamit ang cellphone that might have triggered iyong pagsabog,” she said.

(One of the persons of interest appears to be making a call through his cellphone that might have triggered the explosion.)

The two suspects immediately fled after the explosion, Fajardo said.

On Sunday, an explosion rocked the Dimaporo Gymnasium in MSU in Marawi City while a Mass was ongoing.

Police said four people were killed and six of the wounded are in stable condition at the hospital. Thirty-nine people hurt in the incident have already been discharged from the hospital.

The Philippine military said it is validating the claim of the Islamic State and Dawlah Islamiyah - Maute Group that they were responsible for the explosion.

According to the PNP, there are at least four persons of interest in the bomb attack. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News