AFP: Maute group could be behind bombing of gymnasium at MSU

The military is looking into the Maute group of the Daulah Islamiyah as one of the suspects behind the Mindanao State University bombing, according to AFP public affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad. | PHOTO: INQUIRER.net / John Eric Mendoza

MANILA, Philippines — The Maute group under the Daulah Islamiyah (DI) is being eyed as one of those responsible behind the bombing in Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said on Monday.

Trinidad said the Maute group could have launched the attack because it wanted to be recognized by the Islamic State (IS).

“There are a lot of angles that the AFP is looking into, and we cannot immediately announce what groups because we need to further validate this information,” Trinidad told reporters during an interview in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

“One of … the suspects that we are looking into [are] the members of the DI-Maute group, who have been wanting international recognition, particularly with their membership in ISIS,” he added.

The DI-Maute Group is inspired by the Islamic State.

READ: Bomb blast during Mass kills 4, wounds 50 at Mindanao State University

IS already claimed responsibility for the attack, but the official said the AFP needs to validate the reports.

Trinidad said the AFP is still investigating if the transnational radical group is directly involved with the attack.

READ: IS claims responsibility for deadly bombing at Mindanao State University

“The AFP is still validating news reports that ISIS has already claimed to be the one behind this terror attack in Marawi City,” Trinidad said.

Four persons died and  50 others were wounded after a bomb exploded inside the Dimaporo Gym of the Mindanao State University during the celebration of a Catholic Mass.