Military operation kills suspected mastermind of university bombing
The Armed Forces of the Philippines announced the death of one of the nine armed rebels believed to be behind the fatal bombing of Mindanao State University in a recent military operation. The AFP identified Khadafi Mimbesa, also known as “Engineer,” as the leader of the Dawlah Islamiyah – Maute Group and the alleged mastermind behind the bombing incident in Marawi City last December. The military operation, led by the 103rd Brigade, resulted in the neutralization of Mimbesa and eight other alleged armed members of Dawlah Islamiyah in Lanao del Sur. The military also recovered nine high-powered firearms, one bandolier, four Baofeng radios, and one smartphone. AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. emphasized that the operation should serve as an invitation and a call to surrender for other members of the group. The military admitted to a “failure of intelligence due to failure of capabilities” last year, but immediately launched an extensive manhunt for those responsible for the university bombing, which resulted in four deaths and 50 injuries.
