Alleged kin of suspect in Jolo blasts dies in shootout

MANILA, Philippines — An alleged relative of one of the suspects in the bombing of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu, was killed in a shootout with police on Tuesday night.

Police said they were approaching a house at the Kalimayan Village in Barangay Latih, Patikul, Sulu when Ommal Yusop, 62, allegedly drew his gun and fired at the operatives, triggering a firefight.

Yusop, police said, is allegedly related to an alias Kamah, one of the suspects in the bombing.

Police said Yusop died on the spot, but Kamah and another unidentified person evaded arrest, police reported Wednesday.

Recovered from the scene were a caliber .45 pistol,  an empty shell, five bullets, and a magazine.

Philippine National Police spokesperson Senior Supt. Bernard Banac told INQUIRER.net that investigators have yet to identify if Yusop was involved in the Jolo cathedral bombings, which left 21 people dead and 97 injured as of Tuesday.

Banac said Yusop might have aided and hid Kamah following the bombings.  /muf