‘Mastermind’ in MSU campus bombing nabbed

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The alleged mastermind in an attack on a Catholic religious ceremony at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi, Lanao del Sur in December has been arrested.

Arsani Membisa, allegedly a member of the Dawlah Islamiya terror group, was arrested in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte on Oct. 16, the Bangsamoro police reported on Sunday.

The attack, which occurred on Dec. 3, 2003, killed four people and wounded 43 others.

The victims were attending a mass at the Dimaporo Gymnasium located in the MSU campus when an improvised explosive device went off.

Police arested two suspects weeks after the explosion.

Brig. Gen. Romeo Jaime Macapaz, Bangsamoro police director, said residents tipped off authorities about Membisa’s presence in the area.

A joint team of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and officers of the Lanao del Sur and Iligan City police arrested Membisa at his hideout in Barangay Maria Cristina.