‘Brains’ in Marawi University bomb attack slain in clash

COTABATO CITY, Philippines —The alleged mastermind in the 2023 bomb attack at the Marawi State University (MSU) was killed in an encounter in Pagayawan, Lanao del Sur on Saturday.

The military identified the fatality as Najib Laguindab, alias Abu Jihad, allegedly a former member of the defunct Dawlah Islamiya.

Troopers of the Army’s 1101st Infantry Brigade tracked Laguindab in his hideout in Barangay Padas through information provided by villagers.

Instead of surrendering, Laguindab and his followers fired at the approaching troopers, triggering a firefight that resulted in his death.

A soldier was wounded in the encounter.

Two followers of Laguindab surrendered after seeing him dead.

Aside from Laguindab’s remains, the military recovered a rifle, a pistol and three improvised explosive devices at the scene of the firefight.

Authorities said Laguindab was the main plotter of the MSU bomb attack, which killed four people and wounded 43 others in December 2023.

The victims were attending a mass at the university’s gymnasium when an explosion occurred.