The two suspects involved in the recent deadly bombing at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City were involved in previous bombing incidents and other crimes, the Philippine National Police announced on Thursday.
During the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the two suspects were identified based on testimonies from witnesses and the recovered CCTV footage.
PNP previously identified the suspects as Kadapi Mimbesa (also called "Engineer") and Arsani Membisa (known as "Lapitos").
The footage showed the two individuals entering the university shortly before the improvised explosive device detonated. They were also seen leaving the premises immediately before the explosion.
"These two persons of interest are members of Dawla Islamiya within the Maute Group," Fajardo said.
"Both have existing warrants for murder and involvement in previous bombing incidents in Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte," she added.
When asked why the suspects were not arrested despite their prior warrants, Fajardo explained that their cases stemmed from past activities and that the authorities had yet to capture the suspects.
"Their photos were shown to witnesses at the MSU mass, who readily identified them," Fajardo said.
"Our ongoing pursuit operation aims to apprehend these two persons of interest," she added.
Before the incident, the CCTV footage outside the MSU gymnasium provided further details about the suspects' movements.
Fajardo said the two individuals matching the descriptions of witnesses arrived at the MSU Gymnasium around 6:27 AM and entered at 7:03 AM last Sunday.
"They left at approximately 7:11 AM. One of them made a phone call before they left, possibly triggering the explosion. Subsequently, the CCTV captured their escape from the crime scene," she said.
The PNP is now searching for a third individual who may have acted as a lookout during the attack.
"We anticipate creating a composite sketch based on eyewitness descriptions," Fajardo said. "We are closely coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to immediately apprehend the two identified individuals and pursue the ongoing investigation."
The PNP is also preparing the necessary documents to file charges against the identified suspects.
The bombing at the MSU gymnasium, which occurred during a Catholic Mass on 3 December 2023, resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals and injuries to several others.
