EID bombing in MSU Marawi could be an act of retaliation—Brawner

At least 50 individuals were injured and four were confirmed died after an improvised explosive devise exploded around 7 a.m. on Sunday in Dimaporo gymnasium inside the Mindanao State University in Marawi City. 

In a joint press conference, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the bombing incident could be a retaliatory attack after a series of military operations against the Daulah Islamiyyah-affiliated local terrorist groups operating in Mindanao areas. 

The AFP, he said, has alerted all their units and looking for any possible motive for the bombing incident in Marawi City. 

Brawner said the AFP's Western Mindanao Command has launched an operation targeting the group of Abdullah Sapal alias "Brook Sapal"—who was the alleged newly assumed emir of the Daulah Islamiyah operating in Mindanao. 

The AFP joint task conducted the operation within Barangay Mother Tuayan in Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao del Sur on 1 December 1, resulting in the neutralization of 11 Daulah Islamiyyah members in the area, including the leader, Sapal.  

On 2 December, Brawner said another operation was launched against Abu Sayyaf group leader, Sawadjaan alias Mundi, a notorious bomb maker.

"He was also neutralized in that operation if you recall Sawadjaan was the mastermind of the Jolo bombings and other terrorist activities in Jolo and also in the area of Western Mindanao Command," the AFP chief narrated.
 
On 3 December, the Philippine Army's 103rd Infantry Brigade under AFP WesMinCom likewise launched an operation in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur which resulted in the death of Daullah Islamiyyah-Maute Subleader Jalandoni Macadaya Lucsadato alias "Lando" and also led to the arrest of a certain Saadya Datu Amih or alias "Lando" also. 

Brawner said the captured individual is the aunt of alias Lando. 

"So tinitingnan po namin yung angulo na ito dahil sa mga sunod-sunod na operational natin (We are looking at every angle due to the series of operations) against the terrorist groups in the whole of Western Mindanao, here in Maguindanao, in Lanao and also here in Basilan. This could be retaliatory attack yung nangyari kaninang umaga (that happened earlier this morning) so that is one angle that we are looking into and so we have alerted also our units, all of our units in Mindanao," he said.

"We are continuously gathering intelligence operations so that we will be able to run after the perpetrators of this terroristic attack," he added. 

Red alert status

Philippine National Police chief Lt.Gen. Emmanuel  Peralta said they already placed all their units in Mindanao under red alert status.

"And also to include a heightened alert here at the national capital region for precautionary measures, we will also intensify the conduct of checkpoints and intelligence activities to preempt possible follow-up incidents on this matter," Peralta said. 

Citing the PNP's initial report, Peralta said the investigation team initially gathered fragments of 60 mm mortar from the EID. 

"Right now we are undergoing investigation on who are possible suspects," he added. 

Indicia of a foreign element

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the security forces are in close contact with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to feed him about the update on the bombing incident in Marawi City. 

"There are indicia of foreign element here which are looking into, this being a crime scene the physical investigation of the crime scene shall be left to the appropriate agency the PNP-SOCO of the area and as I informed the senior officials of the PNP are on the way to the area to coordinate also and prevent any further untoward events happening," Teodoro said.

The defense chief condemned the terroristic act of bombing a religious occasion. 

"Our law enforcement operations on both sides will continue unabated and in accordance with the president's statement we shall leave no stone unturned in order to root out the perpetrators of this heinous crime," he said. 

"This was done on a religious occasion in Marawi and the intent really is to foment a terrorist activity, to foment confusion, chaos of a terrorist activity. so we leave it to our investigative agencies to root out and to prevent further incidents from occurring," he added. 

Teodoro did not elaborate further on the indicia of foreign elements as it will hamper the ongoing operations of the PNP and the AFP. 

"We are not at liberty to disclose but there is an indicia strong indications of a foreign element and let's leave it at that [way] so that the investigation by both the PNP and AFP will not be hampered," he said.

Heightened alert 

On the other hand, Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said he ordered all their PCG districts to be under heightened alert status in connection with the fatal bomb explosion in Marawi  City. 

"I placed all PCG Districts on heightened alert and directed them to institute proactive measures including intensified intel, a pre-departure inspection of ships, k9 inspection, sea marshal, Coastal Security Patrols, and collaborative operations with port authorities, shipping operators, local government units, AFP/PNP and other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to ensure the safety of the seagoing public and the maritime industry," Gavan said.