Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa yesterday said the bombing at a gymnasium in Marawi City last Sunday may have been a result of the authorities' failure to prepare against reported security threats based on intelligence.
"It appears there was no failure of intelligence as there were earlier reports about what they were planning. What there was may have been a failure to pursue intelligence or a failure to perform security preparations based on the intelligence," Dela Rosa told reporters in a mix of English and Filipino during a media interview.
Dela Rosa made the remarks a day after the Senate held an executive session with defense and armed forces officials to tackle the fatal bomb attack during a Catholic mass at the Mindanao State University gymnasium in Marawi City.
He refused to divulge details of what was discussed during the executive session.
Dela Rosa earlier blamed a "failure of intelligence" for the attack that killed four people and injured at least 50 others.
Suspects in previous blasts
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police said on Thursday that the two suspects in the blast were involved in previous bombings and other crimes.
At the "Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon" public briefing, PNP spokesperson, Col. Jean Fajardo, said the two suspects were identified through CCTV footage and the testimonies of witnesses.
Police identified the suspects as Kadapi Mimbesa, alias Engineer and Arsani Membisa, alias Lapitos.
CCTV footage showed the two entering the university and hurriedly leaving shortly before the explosion.
"These two persons of interest are members of Dawlah 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."
"Their photos were shown to witnesses at the MSU mass who readily identified them," she said.
She said the two suspects arrived at the MSU gym at 6:27 a.m. and entered at 7:03 a.m. last Sunday.
"They left at approximately 7:11 a.m. 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 searching for a third person who may have acted as the lookout.
"We anticipate creating a composite sketch based on eyewitness descriptions," Fajardo said. "We are closely coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to apprehend the two individuals."
Lack of security measures
AFP Chief of Staff Gen., Romeo. Brawner Jr., earlier dismissed the "failure of intelligence" theory, instead blaming the lack of security measures and the complacency of the authorities for the bombing incident.
"There should have been more security measures in place, including checking bags. It should always be done. We must not be complacent. Really, let's not be complacent because anything can happen," Brawner said.