Philippines arrests member of pro-Islamic State militant group over Catholic mass bombing
- Four people were killed and 50 wounded in the bombing in Marawi last Sunday, which was later claimed by the Islamic State group
- Jafar Gamo Sultan was one of four men who were suspected of being ‘part of a cell’ that carried out the attack
The man – identified as Jafar Gamo Sultan – was detained during a hunt for four suspects believed to be behind the attack on worshippers in Marawi, the country’s largest Muslim city, which was besieged by militants in 2017.
Four people were killed and 50 wounded in the bombing last Sunday that was later claimed by the Islamic State group.
Brigadier-General Yegor Rey Barroquillo said surveillance footage appeared to show Sultan carrying the explosive device hidden in a bag into the Mindanao State University gymnasium, where worshippers had gathered for the service.
Barroquillo, who commands the 103rd Brigade of the Philippine Army, which is involved in the search for the assailants, said one of Sultan’s relatives, a man called “Omar”, was also wanted over the attack.
