The pursuit operation continues for the remaining Dawlah Islamiya (DI) - Maute group members who are believed to be behind the Mindanao State University (MSU) - Marawi City bombing in December 2023, according to Philippine Army (PA) Spokesperson Loue Dema-ala on Sunday, January 28.
Interviewed during DZRH Stories: Pinoy Documentaries, Dema-ala noted that they could not declare a "case close" yet as there are remaining DI members on the run.
"Kung pagpapabasehan natin na na-identify na natin yung perpetuators nung bombing, we can say na close na yung case. However, tuloy-tuloy pa rin kasi, hindi pa natin nakuha lahat nung na-identify natin na involved dito bombing. Kaya tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang pursuit operation sa natitirang members ng DI," he said.
LtCol. Loue Dema-ala, PA Spokesperson, Public Affairs Office Chief, sa Dawla Islamiya na nasa likod ng MSU bombing: Dalawa doon ang identified na kasama o involved o pag-planong pag-bomba sa MSU gymnasium.#DZRHStories#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) January 28, 2024
LIVE: https://t.co/5EWB9aBdO7 pic.twitter.com/ycEz27yCqT
The PA spokesperson confirmed that two of the nine DI members killed in the Lanao del Sur clash were involved in the said bombing.
One slain member allegedly assembled the improvised explosive device or IED while the other was among the primary targets in the MSU bombing.
"Mula noong last year, tuloy-tuloy ang combat operations with the help of the kababayans kaya natunton ang mga DI. Kaya natunton din ng ating kasundaluhan," Dema-ala said.
"Kung titingnan, dahil meron silang armas at terrorist group sila, kahit papaano nakakapg-impluwensiya pa rin sila dahil sa takot na binibigay nila sa mga kababayan. Halos wala na silang impluwensya o suporta mula sa mga kababayan natin," he added.
The PA spokesperson affirmed that the bombing in MSU's Dimaporo gym was the terrorist group's retaliatory attack.
He said the police and army in Marawi remain on heightened alert.
