POLICE in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) announced on Monday that they have identified two persons of interest in the bombing attack at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City. The attack, which took place during a mass at the university’s gymnasium, resulted in the tragic deaths of at least four people. The extremist group Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the bombing.
In a radio interview, BARMM police chief BGen. Allan Nobleza refrained from disclosing the names of the persons of interest, citing an ongoing investigation. “We have persons of interest, but the investigation is still ongoing, so in order not to preempt the investigation, we will not divulge their names,” Nobleza said.
Following the incident, the police in the Bangsamoro region have been placed on red alert, with intensified checkpoints and increased police visibility. “It means that we’ve put more policemen on the ground; we intensified our checkpoints and increased police visibility,” Nobleza explained.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner expressed determination to apprehend the perpetrators swiftly. “We will go after the perpetrators as soon as possible and use all resources at our disposal in order to make this happen,” Brawner stated. He emphasized the importance of close coordination between the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to address the issue effectively and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
During a command conference at the headquarters of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade in Marawi, General Brawner discussed enhancing security measures with the Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim and the region’s police officials. The AFP spokesman, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, reported that out of the 54 blast victims, only seven remained in the hospital, with the rest having been discharged.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. reassured the public that the military and police were on red alert and had reinforced security measures in Metro Manila, allaying fears of a terrorist attack during the Christmas season. “To my fellow citizens, we should not be worried because this is our responsibility to protect your safety,” Teodoro said.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has formed a special investigating team, led by Nobleza, to probe the bombing. The international community has also condemned the attack, with ambassadors from several countries expressing their solidarity with the Philippine government and calling for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
Canada’s Ambassador to the Philippines, David Hartman, denounced the “heinous act of violence” and called for justice. The United Kingdom Ambassador, Laure Beaufils, condemned the attack and highlighted the timing of the incident during Mindanao Peace Week and the start of Advent. Australia’s Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu pledged continued support to the Philippine government’s efforts to bring those responsible to justice.
Israel, through its embassy in Manila, expressed solidarity with the Philippine government and people in the face of this despicable act of terrorism. Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian emphasized that violence against civilians has no place in the world. The United States also condemned the “horrific terrorist attack” that occurred during a Catholic service at MSU. The United States Department of State spokesman, Matthew Miller, reaffirmed the US’s support for the Philippines in rejecting such acts of violence.
Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong called on the House of Representatives to review MSU’s security measures in response to the attack.
As investigations continue, the authorities are committed to bringing justice to the victims and ensuring the safety and security of the community. The international condemnation of the attack highlights the global commitment to combatting terrorism and supporting peace and stability in the region.
Source: The Manila Times
