PNP to file raps vs Dawlah Islamiyah, Maute members in MSU bombing

FILE PHOTO: PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo answers questions from reporters after a media briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City, in this file photo on April 25, 2023. INQUIRER.net /Faith Argosino

MANILA, Philippines — Investigators are targeting to file criminal complaints against the suspects and unidentified persons of interest (POIs) in the Mindanao State University (MSU) bomb attack by the end of this week, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the situation in MSU is “back to normal,” but composite teams of PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines will remain in the area until the university “can manage on their own.”

“May mga dokumento pong hinahanda ang ating SITG (special investigation task group) hopefully within the week po ay nakakapag sampa po sila ng kaso dun po sa identified po nilang suspects and other John Does,” Fajardo said in a press briefing on Monday.

(Pertinent documents have already been brought to the SITG, and hopefully, within the week, investigators will be able to file the case against the identified individuals and John Does.)

The PNP official was pertaining to the two alleged members of Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) – Maute Group identified as “Maausor” and “Monatanda / Titing” — the third and fourth most wanted persons in Lanao del Sur.

READ: PNP: P1-M bounty for info on persons of interest in MSU bombing

According to Fajardo, both were arrested last December 9 and reportedly had ties with suspects Kadapi Mimbesa, alias “Engineer,” and Arsani Membisa, alias “Lapitos,” “Khatab,” or “Hatab” — who remain at large.

READ: Raps filed vs. arrested MSU bombing suspect

Aside from the two, Fajardo earlier bared the faces of two other “persons of interest” (POI) who were believed to have transported a bag containing the bomb to MSU.

READ: PNP shows photos of 2 persons of interest behind bombing of MSU

Meanwhile, the case has already been filed against the arrested suspect, Jafar Gamo Sultan, for illegal possession of explosives and harboring a criminal, she added.