A MAN implicated as the brains of the Dec. 3 bombing of Catholic mass goers at a university gymnasium in Marawi City was killed in a military operation last month, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed on Monday.
Khadafi K. Mimbesa, identified as the amir of the Dawlah Islamiyah–Maute Group and the alleged mastermind behind the deadly bombing at Mindanao State University (MSU), was “neutralized” in Lanao del Sur province, alongside other accomplices, during military operations carried out by the 103rd Infantry Brigade on Jan. 25-26, the AFP said.
Helping confirm the killing of Mr. Mimbesa, alias “Engineer,” was a “high-value individual” from the DI-Maute Group who surrendered to the 2nd Mechanized Brigade last Sunday.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. personally awarded medals to four wounded soldiers and provided financial assistance to 12 others at the Army General Hospital in Taguig City.
He also assured additional equipment for enhanced medical services at military hospitals.
Recovered from the operation against the DI-Maute gunmen were nine high-powered guns, a bandolier, four Baofeng radios, and a smartphone.
The bombing occurred during a Holy Mass at the MSU gymnasium, claiming 11 lives. Marawi City, still recovering from a 2017 conflict with the Maute group, remains affected. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and John Felix M. Unson
