THE alleged mastermind in the deadly bombing at the Mindanao State University (MSU) Marawi campus was killed during a military operation in Lanao del Sur in January, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Monday, February 12, 2024.
In a statement, the AFP said Khadafi Mimbesa alias “Engineer” was among the alleged Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) members who were killed during the military operations in the Lanao del Sur from January 25 to 26.
Mimbesa was the amir or leader of DI-Maute Group, the AFP said.
“Statements from a surrendered terrorist, identified as Khatab (Arsani Membisa), a high-value individual in the DI-Maute Group who surrendered to the 2nd Mechanized Brigade on February 11, have corroborated the initial information on demise of the DI-Maute Group Amir and the mastermind behind the MSU bombing,” it said.
Others who were killed during the operations were Salman alias Mikdad/Miqdad; Abdul Hadi alias Hodi Imam/ Abday'n, who allegedly assembled the improvised explosive device (IED) used during the MSU bombing; Lacson Timbang alias Abdullah; King Fahad Dalig Untie alias Muhajeer/Abu Khalid; Asnawi Mael alias Hamza/ Asnawi; alias Mauwiyah; and alias Mohaimen.
Nine high-powered firearms and two IEDs were also recovered from the neutralized alleged terrorists.
AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. lauded the troops in successfully pursuing those responsible for the MSU bombing and called on remnants 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," he said.
"The Armed Forces of the Philippines will always be a catalyst for peace and assures the public of the military's unwavering commitment to safeguarding peace and security in Mindanao and across the country," he added.
The MSU bombing happened on December 3, 2023. It claimed the lives of four people, while several others were injured. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)
