Mindanao State University (PHOTO FROM MSU/WEBSITE)
MANILA, Philippines — A P1 million reward awaits anyone who will provide credible information that would lead to the identification of two “persons of interest” (POIs) in the deadly bomb attack at Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City last December 3, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo announced this after baring the faces of the two POIs who were believed to have transported a bag allegedly containing the 60-mm mortar bomb and rocket-propelled grenade used for the attack.
“Meron na pong P1 million reward na inilabas para sa immediate identification ng dalawang POIs na ito,” Fajardo said in a press briefing on Thursday.
(There is a P1 million reward for the immediate identification of these POIs.)
Fajardo disclosed that the reward donor opted to remain anonymous.
Last December 8, the Armed Forces of the Philippines announced the arrest of suspect, Jafar Gamo Sultan. He was apprehended two days prior by the joint elements of the military’s Task Force Marawi and Marawi City Police.
On the day of Sultan’s arrest, Fajardo likewise identified the first two suspects as Kadapi Mimbesa, alias “Engineer,” and Arsani Membisa, who have three aliases, “Lapitos,” “Khatab,” and “Hatab.”
Citing police records, Fajardo reported that both suspects are purportedly members of the Maute group under the Daulah Islamiyah, were involved in previous bombing incidents, and had pending arrest warrants.
In a separate interview, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police office director Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza revealed that the two suspects have reportedly secured a safehouse inside MSU’s compound and have lived there for a while.
Unlike other universities, Nobleza pointed out that MSU has no perimeter wall pr fence and covers seven barangays or almost 1,000 hectares of land, making the compound accessible to everyone.