Mastermind behind Marawi bombing killed

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines said that the person behind the fatal bombing of the Mindanao State University last year was one of nine armed rebels recently killed in a military operation.

In a statement on Monday, the AFP said that the Khadafi Mimbesa or “Engineer,” who they believe is the amir or leader of Dawlah Islamiyah - Maute Group, was one of the nine alleged armed Dawlah Islamiyah members killed in a military operation from January 25 to 26.

Mimbesa is the brains behind the bombing incident in Marawi City last December, the AFP said, citing corroborated information from a “surrendered terrorist.”

“The efforts of the 103rd Brigade, under the leadership of their Commander, BGen Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr., resulted in the neutralization of local terrorists and armed members of the Dawlah Islamiyah in Lanao del Sur on January 25 to 26, 2024, who were identified as perpetrators of the fatal bombing at Mindanao State University (MSU) on December 3, 2023,” the AFP said.

The military also recovered nine highpowered firearms, one bandolier, four Baofeng radios and one smartphone.

AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. said the incident should prompt other members of the group to surrender.

"Our troops will be relentless in the pursuit of those who will seek to disturb the peace. Take this as an invitation and a call to surrender now and avoid the same fate as your dead comrades," Brawner added.

Last year, the AFP admitted that some form of “failure of intelligence due to failure of capabilities” on the part of the military led to the bombing incident at a gymnasium in MSU, which led to four deaths and 50 others injured.

Immediately after the incident, the military and the police launched an extensive manhunt for those responsible for the attack.