Police hunt 2023 Marawi bomber

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Police and military units have launched a manhunt for Kadapi Mimbesa Mortiaba following a shootout in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur on Saturday that left two people dead.

Mortiaba is wanted for the bombing of a Catholic mass held inside the Mindanao State University in Marawi that left four people dead and 43 others wounded in 2023.

Authorities were out to serve an arrest warrant against him in Barangay Tampilong over the weekend, but Mortiaba and his companions fired at arresting officers.

The brief shootout resulted in the death of Mohaimen Hadji Ali Darimbang and Nesren Solaiman, who were reported to have coddled Mortiaba in a house in Tampilong, where they also kept assault rifles, pistols and components for improvised explosive devices.

Capt. Steffie Salanguit, Bangsamoro police spokesperson, said operatives were out to serve the warrant on Mortiaba after receiving tips from community members of the suspect’s hideout.

The officers said Mortiaba, Darimbang and Solaiman pulled out guns and opened fire.

Mortiaba set off a grenade to prevent police and soldiers from closing in as he made his escape.

A six-month-old girl was wounded in one of the explosions. She died later in a hospital.