On Thursday, authorities arrested two more members allegedly tied to the suspects of the fatal bombing at the Mindanao State University (MSU) Dimaporo Gymnasium in Marawi City. The attack killed four people and wounded a dozen others.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo identified the suspects as alias “Maausor” and alias “Monatanda / Titing. They’re alleged members of the Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) – Maute Group and are the third and fourth most wanted individuals in Lanao del Sur.

The suspects were arrested in Barangay Cabasaran, Lumbayanague, in Lanao del Sur, last December 9 by the joint elements of the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Fajardo revealed that they’re still investigating their involvement in the bombing attack and figuring out what charges may be filed against them.

On December 6, Task Force Marawi arrested another suspect linked to the bombing attack in an operation in Barangay Dulay Proper in Marawi City. The suspect was identified as Jaafar Gamo Sultan, alias “Kulot.”

Authorities believe that persons of interest named earlier in the case, Kadapi Mimbesa, alias “Engineer,” and Arsani Membesa, alias “Lapitos,” planned the attack at Sultan’s residence.

During Sultan’s arrest, authorities said that they had confiscated a grenade in his possession and that he knew about the bombing attack all along. Sultan is now facing charges of harboring a criminal and illegal possession of explosives.

Meanwhile, according to the spokesperson, Mimbesa and Membesa have a standing warrant of arrest for murder.

Aside from the recently arrested individuals, the police also revealed the faces of two more persons of interest believed to have transported the bag containing the bomb into MSU. 

“We have reasonable ground maliban kay nila Engineer at Lapitos may iba pang involved sa naging pagpasabog sa MSU,” states Fajardo.

The authorities are offering a P1 million reward for anyone who can reveal information or their identities to the police.

Sources: (1), (2), (3).

---

Also Read: Brooklyn 99’s Andre Braugher Passes After Brief Battle with Lung Cancer