Photo from AFP – Western Mindanao Command
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it was mourning the loss of lives in the twin blasts in Jolo, Sulu on Sunday morning.
“The PNP mourns the loss of government security forces as well as the civilians who died in the recent explosion in [Jolo, Sulu],” the PNP said in a statement on Sunday.
“We strongly condemn this atrocious act of taking the human lives for whatever purpose the perpetrators may have,” it added.
The PNP vowed to identify and arrest the perpetrators of the deadly explosion.
“The PNP together with other government security forces will make sure those who are behind this will be soon identified and put them behind bars,” it said.
The PNP likewise encouraged the people of Jolo and its neighboring towns “to remain vigilant at this time.”
Earlier, Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, said that a Mass was ongoing at the Marian Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel when a blast occurred inside the church.
READ: 2 blasts rock Jolo cathedral
Another blast hit the parking lot of the cathedral while government forces were responding to the earlier explosion.
According to data from the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), at least 15 were reported killed and 46 others were injured in the twin blasts. /cbb
READ: 15 killed, 46 others hurt in twin blasts in Jolo – PNP