AFP condemns Jolo cathedral attack

In this photo provided by WESMINCOM Armed Forces of the Philippines, a soldier views the site inside a Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in the southern Philippines after two bombs exploded Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. The Philippine government says it will “pursue to the ends of the earth the ruthless perpetrators” behind bomb attacks that killed over a dozen people and wounded many more during a Sunday Mass at a cathedral on the restive southern island. (WESMINCOM Armed Forces of the Philippines Via AP)

MANILA, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) condemned on Sunday the “dastardly attack” in Jolo, Sulu, that killed at least 17 individuals and injured 57 others.

In a statement, AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said it was closely coordinating with the Philippine National Police to probe the incident and identify suspects.

“We have been in the thick of attending to and ensuring that the wounded were properly given medical attention while those who perished were properly accounted for and the next of kin informed and assisted,” Arevalo said in a statement.

“We are in close coordination with PNP counterparts to aid in the investigation and in the identification of the perpetrators,” he added.

At about 8:45 a.m., the first blast occurred inside the church of the Marian Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel while the Mass was ongoing.

This immediately resulted in the death 12 people and 42 others, according to AFP.

Another blast hit the parking lot of the cathedral while government forces were responding to the first explosion, killing five army troopers and wounding 14 others.

A member of the Coast Guard was also reported hurt following the twin blasts that rocked the province of Sulu.

AFP Chief of Staff General Benjamin Madrigal, Jr. meanwhile, said the AFP would “strongly commit” to serving justice will be served on the families of the victims

“I strongly commit, with the help of relevant agencies of government, to pursue the criminals with the full force of the law to ensure that the victims of this injustice will be prosecuted and punished,” Madrigal said.

“I call on the people for calm and sobriety as government security forces address this recent attack on the peaceful Joloanos,” he added. /cbb