2 suicide bombers behind daring Jolo attacks

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two female suicide bombers and not one as earlier reported by the military, carried out daring attacks in the southern Philippine province of Sulu that left dozens of casualties, mostly civilians.

The aftermath of Monday's twin bombings in Jolo town. And pictures of soldiers who died in the suicide attacks. (Photos by 11th Infantry Division) 

This was confirmed Tuesday by Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, saying one of the bombers was an Indonesian widow of Abu Sayyaf suicide bomber Norman Lasuca, who blew himself up outside a military base and killed 8 people in Sulu’s Indanan town last year.

The other suicide bomber was the wife of an Abu Sayyaf explosives expert Talha Jumsa, who was also slain in a clash with soldiers in Patikul town, also in Sulu.

Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, on Tuesday said that a parked motorcycle rigged with explosives was detonated near two military trucks in the capital town of Jolo. And the second suicide bomber detonated her explosives while soldiers and policemen were rushing to the scene to aid the victims.

“As per initial investigation, the first explosion emanated from a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device whereby two of our military vehicles parked in the area were partially damaged,” Vinluan said, adding, “while troops were cordoning off the bomb site, a suicide bomber attempted to penetrate the area and blasted himself near the Development Bank of the Philippines, in front of New Trading along Sanchez Street.”

Vinluan said the military's anti-terror Joint Task Force Sulu “assures the public that they will continue to sustain the security efforts for peace and stability in the province. Ground troops continue to establish the circumstances and identify the perpetrators behind this inhumane attack,” he said.

The 11^th Infantry Division in Sulu said 8 soldiers and one policeman were killed and 24 soldiers and six policemen were also wounded in the bombings. It said six civilians also died and 48 others were injured in the attacks. “The severely wounded individuals were airlifted to Zamboanga City for more extensive medical care,” it said.

The Joint Task Force Sulu also imposed stricter security in Jolo following the daring attacks. “The Joint Task Force Sulu is implementing more stringent security measures to prevent further atrocities. We urge the public to remain calm and be vigilant for suspicious individuals,” it said.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of soldiers, policemen, and civilians who perished and offered the ultimate sacrifice. Rest assured that we will bring into justice those who are responsible in these twin bombing incidents,” it added.

Condemned

Sulu Reps. Samier Tan and Shernee Tambut both condemned the bombings.

“I call on all concerned agencies to exercise the full force of the law to drag those responsible to the bars of justice and be meted out with punishment commensurate to the terror they wreaked. I condole with the families of all victims, both soldiers and innocent civilians. They do not deserve to lose their lives through senseless violence,” Tan said.

“I call on the people to remain calm and sober. Let us leave the matter to competent agencies to get to the root of the incident. Remain vigilant always against those who wish us harm,” he added.

Tambut said: “Such dastardly acts have no place in a civilized society and so I urged the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to conduct a thorough investigation, and file appropriate charges against the perpetrators of this cowardly act.”

Stricter security

Gov. Sakur Tan convened a Crisis Management Committee (CMC) meeting with Brig. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of the 11^th Infantry Division; and Col. Michael Bayawan, the provincial police chief; Jolo Mayor Kerkhar Tan and Dr. Fahra Omar, the provincial health officer; and other stakeholders to discuss security measures in Sulu.

Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan gestures as he speaks with police and military commanders, and Jolo Mayor Kerkahr Tan and other officials following twin bombings in Jolo town on Monday that killed and wounded dozens of people. (Photo by Jean Alfad) 

Members of the CMC have agreed to tighten security in the province and enforce a stricter curfew hours from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tan also ordered the Coast Guard and the Maritime Police to strictly inspect cargoes of vessels.

Residents passing military and police checkpoints will now have to lower their face mask for proper identification, but observe physical distancing to avoid Covid-19 infection. And all public parking areas will now be on the right lane only and closely guarded by security forces.

Tan said the provincial government will shoulder the hospital cost of all the blast victims and provide them with financial assistance.

Brig. Gen. Manuel Abu, the regional police chief, is welcomed by Jainab Abdulmajid, a spokeswoman for the Sulu Task Force Covid-19 on Tuesday in Jolo town. Abu is to attend a multi-stakeholders meeting called by Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan. (Photos by Jean Alfad)

Brig. Gen. Manuel Abu, the regional police chief, arrived Tuesday in Jolo town to attend a multi-stakeholders meeting called by Tan. The whole town of Jolo is now under lockdown and no vessels - cargo or ferry – are allowed to enter or leave the town while authorities continue its investigation into the deadly bombings. (Zamboanga Post)

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