The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed the death of the alleged mastermind behind the bombing of the Mindanao State University in Marawi City last December.
Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office, said on Monday, February 12, that a military operation resulted in the death of Khadafi Mimbesa, alias 'Engineer', last January in Lanao Del Sur.
Trinidad said that a surrendered terrorist validated that Mimbesa perished during the operation.
"Statements from a surrendered terrorist, identified as KHATAB, a high-value individual in the DI-Maute Group who surrendered to the 2nd Mechanized Brigade on February 11, have corroborated the initial information on demise of the DI-Maute Group Amir and the mastermind behind the MSU bombing," Trinidad said in a statement.
The operation also led to the seizure of nine high-powered firearms, one bandolier, four Baofeng radios, and one smartphone.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner lauded government troops for their accomplishment and urged other members of the Dawlah Islamiyah terror group to surrender.
"Our troops will be relentless in the pursuit of those who will seek to disturb the peace. Take this as an invitation and a call to surrender now and avoid the same fate as your dead comrades," Brawner said.
"The Armed Forces of the Philippines will always be a catalyst for peace and assures the public of the military's unwavering commitment to safeguarding peace and security in Mindanao and across the country," he added.
