AFP pursuing more suspects in Marawi blast

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is hot on the trail of more personalities tagged in a deadly explosion at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City last Dec. 3.

Col. Medel Aguilar, AFP spokesperson, confirmed this following the arrest of one of the suspects behind the Marawi blast which killed four people and injured 72 others.

Aguilar was asked whether the military was pursuing other suspects, to which he shortly replied: “Yes.” He, however, refused to divulge how many persons are still being pursued by law enforcers.

But the AFP has identified an alias “Omar” as the one who allegedly placed a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) concealed in a bag at the Dimaporo Gymnasium inside the MSU on Dec. 3.

The military did not reveal further information on the identity of Omar as officials said it may jeopardize the ongoing security operation against him.

Last Dec. 6, combined forces of Task Force Marawi and Marawi City Police arrested Jafar Gamo Sultan alias “Jaf/Kurot”, who the military said served as an accomplice and “lookout” of Omar, in Brgy. Dulay Proper, Marawi City.

“This development shows the seriousness of the government, thru the law enforcement bodies, to identify and arrest those behind the bombing incident and at the same time, to prevent an occurrence of incidents like this from happening,” Aguilar said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) also identified two suspects in the explosion as Kadapi Mimbesa alias “Engineer”, and Arsani Mimbesa alias “Katab/Papitos”.

Relatedly, the MSU has announced on Dec. 7 the resumption of classes and academic activities at the university following close coordination with the AFP, PNP, and local government units of Marawi City and Lanao del Sur.