The Philippine National Police (PNP) has filed charges against 29 individuals for the recent twin bombing incident in Jolo, Sulu.
Special Investigating Task Group Paradise Jolo disclosed that 15 individuals will be charged for their alleged involvement in the first blast at the Paradise Food Plaza in Brgy. Walled City while14 others will face raps for the second explosion.
The charges include murder, frustrated murder, violation of RA 9516 (Illegal/Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Dealing, Acquisition or Disposition of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives), and damage to property.
“Hindi po natin ma-divulge ‘yung mga names ng mga suspect dahil nagko-conduct pa tayo ng follow-up operations sa kanila, so that ilan man lang sa kanila ay mahuli po natin (We cannot divulge the names of suspects since we are still conducting follow-up operations so that we can apprehend them),” SITG Paradise Jolo Spokesperson PLtCol. Kris Conrad Gutierrez stated.
The police are now identifying to which groups the said individuals belong. The AFP earlier said that Abu Sayyaf Group is behind the explosion with Mundi Sawadjaan as the mastermind. The police has not confirmed if Sawadjaan is among those who will be charged.
Authorities are still considering the tricycle driver caught in the CCTV footage as a person of interest.
The AFP has recorded 83 deaths and 505 injured as result of ASG terror activities within 11 years. The government forces are keen on neutralizing the Abu Sayyaf Group this year.
“Right now our focus is the Abu Sayyaf Group operating in Basilan and Sulu. Ang target po namin diyan (Our target) is we will endeavor to really degrade them significantly by the end of the year,” AFP Chief of Staff LtGen. Gilbert Gapay said.
– Report from Bea Bernardo
