Twin Jolo bombings leave dozen of casualties

SULU – At least a dozen soldiers and civilians were killed and wounded in twin bombings Monday by suspected pro-ISIS militants in the southern Philippine province of Sulu.

The simultaneous attacks targeted soldiers buying provisions in the capital town of Jolo, but security officials have not released any statement on the bombings or the number of soldiers killed and wounded from the powerful blasts.

Other reports said a motorcycle laden with explosives went off near a military truck used by the soldiers. And that a second bomb exploded minutes later while soldiers and policemen rushed to the scene.

One report said the blast occurred near or inside Paradise Food Shop beside Syntax computer shop.

Several civilians were also reported killed and wounded and photos of the casualties and videos of the aftermath of the bloody attacks posted by villages immediately went viral on social media.

Pictures also showed soldiers carrying their bloodied companions and civilians sprawled on the street and soaked in their own blood near where the attack occurred.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the blasts, but authorities suspect the Abu Sayyaf, a small group notorious for its brutal campaign for a self-rule whose leaders pledged allegiance to ISIS.

The daring attacks occurred barely two weeks after security forces arrested a senior Abu Sayyaf leader, Idang Susukan, from the house of former rebel chieftain Nur Misuari, chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, in Davao City.

Susukan reportedly surrendered in April to Misuari in Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region, and brought him to Davao on a private jet to have him fitted with a prosthetic arm after losing one arm in a bloody battle with soldiers in the province.

It was unclear whether the twin bombings were in retaliation of the Abu Sayyaf for Susukan’s arrest.

Just this month, the U.S. Department of State warned Americans to stay away from the restive southern region due to terrorism. “Do not travel to the Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. (And) Marawi City in Mindanao due to terrorism and civil unrest,” it said in an updated advisory August 7.

“Terrorist and armed groups continue plotting possible kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks in the Philippines. Terrorist and armed groups may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. The Philippine government has declared a State of National Emergency on Account of Lawless Violence in Mindanao,” it added.

The bombings were timed while the country is battling the spread of the coronavirus that had killed nearly 3,000 people since the start of the pandemic in March. (Zamboanga Post)

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