The Philippine National Police on Thursday said it arrested two alleged members of Dawlah Islamiyah – Maute Group who were linked to the deadly bomb attack at Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City.
PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said the suspects, identified as “Maausor” and “Monatanda/Titing” were arrested by a team of police and military personnel in Barangay Cabasaran, Lumbayanague in Lanao del Sur last Dec. 9.
“According to the information that we received, after the incident it’s in this area where alias Engineer (Kadapi Mimbesa) fled and hid,” Fajardo said.
The colonel also said investigators are still looking into the possible involvement of the two men in the Dec. 3 bomb attack of a Catholic Mass at the MSU’s Dimaporo Gymnasium that killed four people and wounded dozens more.
Both suspects have warrants of arrest for murder, according to the PNP spokesperson.
On Dec. 6, another person linked to the MSU bombing, identified as Jaafar Gamo Sultan alias “Kulot,” was arrested by Task Force Marawi in Barangay Dulay Proper, Marawi City.
The PNP said authorities believe the persons of interest earlier named in the bombing, Kadapi Mimbesa or “Engineer” and Arsani Membesa or “Lapitos,” planned the bombing at Sultan’s house.
Sultan is now facing charges of illegal possession of explosives and harboring a criminal.
Meanwhile, a P100,000 reward is being offered for information on two other persons of interest who were seen in CCTV footage during the incident.
Authorities earlier said it is validating the claim of the Islamic State and Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute for responsibility for the attack.