Philippines’ Catholic mass bombing ‘mastermind’ dies from shoot-out injury

‘Mastermind’ Khadafi Mimbesa was hurt in a shoot-out between army soldiers and militants last month, and died days later

The December 3 attack in Marawi, the country’s largest Muslim city, killed four and wounded dozens and was later claimed by Islamic State group

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Military personnel stand guard at the entrance of a gymnasium while police investigators look for evidence after a bomb attack at Mindanao State University in Marawi. Photo: AFP

Published: 4:20pm, 12 Feb 2024

The alleged mastermind of a bombing at a Catholic mass in the southern Philippines has died after a clash between members of a pro-Islamic State group and government troops, officials said on Monday.

Four people were killed and dozens wounded in the December 3 attack on worshippers inside a university gym in Marawi, the country’s largest Muslim city, that was later claimed by the Islamic State group.

Eight Dawlah Islamiyah militants were suspected of carrying out the attack on Mindanao island, army brigade commander Brigadier General Yegor Rey Barroquillo said.

Women walk past the site where a bomb exploded in Marawi. Photo: AP

Five have been killed in manhunt operations, one has been detained, and another two were still on the run, he said.

Among the dead was Khadafi Mimbesa, who went by the alias of “engineer”. The Armed Forces of the Philippines said he was the “mastermind” behind the bombing.

Mimbesa was wounded in a shoot-out between army soldiers and militants hiding out at a mountain farm near the remote southern municipality of Piagapo late last month, Barroquillo said.

Nine militants, including three suspects in the bombing, were killed in the fighting.