Seven soldiers and four civilians were killed in two bombing incidents in Jolo, Sulu on Monday afternoon.
The first explosion was reported at the Paradise Food Plaza in Barangay Walled City. The suspects placed an improvised explosive device (IED) in a motorcycle which eventually detonated while soldiers were patrolling.
This was followed by another blast 100 meters from the first site. A female suspect is believed to be the suicide bomber of the second incident whose identity is currently being verified.
“Actually, matagal na plano na ‘yan. Kasama ‘yan sa sinusundan namin noong ako pa iyong commander doon, iyong before na nangyari iyong shooting incident na namatay iyong apat na sundalo (Actually, this plan has been hatched when I was still Commander and this is one of the things we have been following before the shooting incident that killed four soldiers),” Western Mindanao Command Commander MGen. Corleto Vinluan disclosed.
Authorities are now conducting post-blast investigation while Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson MGen. Edgard Arevalo assured that the “11th Infantry Division and the Joint Task Force Sulu are on high alert following the incident.”
The Philippine National Police (PNP Chief Police General Archie Gamboa has directed the PRO BAR under PBGEN Manual Abu to secure the area and expedite investigation and make all perpetrators accountable before the law.
Meanwhile, Malacañang has condoled with the families of those who died from the explosion and sought the cooperation of the public.
“We call on the residents of Jolo to stay vigilant and report suspicious personalities and unattended items in their areas,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque stated. – Report from Bea Bernardo
