Jolo placed under lockdown after blasts

Photos attached show the inside of Jolo Cathedral following Sunday morning’s blasts. Photos from United Kabalikat Civicom Jolo chapter, a citizen communications group

MANILA, Philippines — Security officials have placed Jolo, Sulu under lockdown following the twin blasts during the celebration of a Catholic Mass that left at least 20 people dead and injured 112.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said Monday that the lockdown was placed to ensure safety within the area and as investigators probe on the bombings.

“Nagbigay ng order ang national headquarters [of the PNP] ng lockdown. The SND (Secretary of National Defense) also ordered a total lockdown dito sa Jolo, Sulu, kaya nakita natin na halos walang mga tao dito at nakasarado ang mga tindahan,” Albayalde told reporters during his visit to Jolo.

(The national headquarters of the PNP has issued an order of lockdown. The SND also ordered a total lockdown here in Jolo, Sulu, that’s why we see that there are not much people here and the stores are closed.)

Senior Supt. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, said the lockdown also means the police will intensify its checkpoint operations in the area.

“The lockdown is more on the preventive side of the operation,” Banac said in a press briefing.

After the bombing and despite the lockdown, Banac urged citizens of Jolo to still “live their daily lives.”

The lockdown will be lifted once the situation in Jolo normalizes, Albayalde said.

The military earlier said initial investigation points at the Abu Sayyaf Group, known for conducting kidnapping and bombings, as the perpetrator of the explosions. /je