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 — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año claimed on Tuesday that the strategy used in the bombing of a church in Jolo, Sulu, was similar to the work of international terrorist network Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).
“Tinatawag natin ‘tong maximize the number of casualties. This is what they did in Bali, Indonesia during the time of JI,” Ano, who was a former military chief of staff, said in a statement.
“Pagkatok ng isa, the tendency, the crowd will look for the exit and then doon magko-course lahat. Mayroon ding another explosion doon,” he said.
(After the first bomb goes off, the tendency of the crowd is run to the nearest exit, where another explosion will happen).
The Philippine National Police said the two bomb blasts at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo last Sunday morning killed 21 people and wounded 97 others, including 54 who are still confined in hospitals.
The extremist group Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks, although authorities are eyeing members of the Ajang-Ajang faction of the Abu Sayyaf Group as the main suspects.
READ: Army releases pictures of teen suspects in Jolo bombing
The Jolo bombing happened a few days after provinces under the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) voted in favor of the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
“The government, especially the DILG, will not be cowed by peace spoilers and terrorists. We will continue to go after the outlaws who resort to violence and we will continue our efforts to stamp out terrorism and violent extremism from the country,” Año said.
“The investigation is still ongoing and the PNP will not rest until the perpetrators of the violent incident are unmasked. I assure the public that we will solve this horrendous crime and will bring the perpetrators to justice,” he added. / gsg