PNP initially sees no connection between Jolo and North Cotabato bombings
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 recent bombings that rocked Jolo, Sulu, and Magpet, North Cotabato appear to be not related, the spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday.
According to Sr. Supt. Bernard Banac, the actual distance between Jolo and Magpet is a factor to consider when determining if both incidents were perpetrated by either one or different groups.
“This incident is now under investigation. It is still too early to say that the recovered items are connected to Jolo bombing incident considering the distance,” Banac said in a message to reporters.
Earlier, PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde explained that the incident in Magpet is attributed to the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
“Wala po, ito po (Magpet bombing) ay kagagawan ng mga CPP-NPA na armadong grupo itong nangyari sa Cotabato, at wala pong kinalaman ‘yan d’yan sa nangyari sa Jolo,” Albayalde said in a television interview.
Extremist group Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the bombing of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, which left 21 dead and around 100 injured. At the same time, police and military said they are looking into the involvement of Ajang-Ajang group — a faction of the Abu Sayyaf Group.
Authorities said that the Jolo explosion appears to be a terror attack, contrary to the Magpet bombing on Monday night which was apparently an ambush.
According to reports from local police, unidentified suspects detonated an explosive device — presumed to be an anti-personnel mine — near a police checkpoint in Barangay Poblacion.
A police officer was killed and seven others were injured in the incident, which came a day after the Jolo bombing.
READ: Jolo twin blasts death toll reaches 20, with 111 others injured
READ: Cop dies, 7 hurt in North Cotabato roadside bombing
Earlier, Albayalde said the Jolo explosion is similar with the bombing incident in Lamitan in July 2018, where a suicide bomber detonated a bomb inside a van upon stopping at a checkpoint, killing 10 individuals.
“Parang similar do’n sa may Lamitan noon, remember itong Lamitan bombing noon,” Albayalde said in a radio interview with DZMM./jpv
READ: Jolo church bombing similar to Lamitan bombing — Albayalde
READ: 11 killed as van explodes in Basilan
READ: DND 80% sure Lamitan blast suicide bombing
