ZAMBOANGA CITY tightened its security following the recent twin suicide bombings in the southern town of Jolo that killed over a dozen people and wounded many others.
Mayor Beng Climaco, who joined other security ang government officials in condemning the bloody attacks, ordered the local police force and military to step up efforts in securing Zamboanga and its people from threat of terrorism.
She told security commanders to “triple efforts to keep Zamboanga City safe and secure.”
Climaco also thanked the military’s Joint Task Force Zamboanga, the Marine Battalion Landing Tea, 11, the 24th Infantry Battalion, the local police force, the Coast Guard and all “force multipliers” for quickly responding to her heightened alert directives.
She said shortly after the explosions in Jolo, the military and the police immediately deployed sea and land patrols and personnel in downtown Zamboanga as part of precautionary measures.
The mayor also appealed to residents to stay vigilant and alert and cooperate with authorities by reporting suspicious individual or unattended bags and containers which could possibly contain explosives.
Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said the attacks were carried out by a pair of suicide bombers – one of them was the 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, he added, 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, said the first explosion was near two military trucks and followed by another blast minutes later while soldiers and policemen were rushing to the scene to aid the victims.
The 11th 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.
ISIS has claimed responsibility for the blasts. Authorities said the Abu Sayyaf, a small group notorious for its brutal campaign for a self-rule and whose leaders pledged allegiance to ISIS, was behind the bombings.
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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‘Beng tells AFP, PNP to protect Zamboangueños’
Mayor Beng Climaco speaks to military officials in Zamboanga City.
Mayor Beng Climaco, who joined other security ang government officials in condemning the bloody attacks, ordered the local police force and military to step up efforts in securing Zamboanga and its people from threat of terrorism.
She told security commanders to “triple efforts to keep Zamboanga City safe and secure.”
A Marine checkpoint in Zamboanga City.
Climaco also thanked the military’s Joint Task Force Zamboanga, the Marine Battalion Landing Tea, 11, the 24th Infantry Battalion, the local police force, the Coast Guard and all “force multipliers” for quickly responding to her heightened alert directives.
She said shortly after the explosions in Jolo, the military and the police immediately deployed sea and land patrols and personnel in downtown Zamboanga as part of precautionary measures.
The mayor also appealed to residents to stay vigilant and alert and cooperate with authorities by reporting suspicious individual or unattended bags and containers which could possibly contain explosives.
Suicide Bombers
Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said the attacks were carried out by a pair of suicide bombers – one of them was the 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, he added, 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, said the first explosion was near two military trucks and followed by another blast minutes later while soldiers and policemen were rushing to the scene to aid the victims.
The 11th 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.
ISIS
ISIS has claimed responsibility for the blasts. Authorities said the Abu Sayyaf, a small group notorious for its brutal campaign for a self-rule and whose leaders pledged allegiance to ISIS, was behind the bombings.
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.
U.S. Warning
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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