Indonesian suicide bombers behind Jolo blasts, DILG chief confirms

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año confirmed on Tuesday that suicide bombers were behind the twin blasts in a cathedral in Jolo, Sulu that killed 23 and wounded 95.

“Bombers are Indonesian couple (husband and wife). Identification is on the process but may take time. It is officially confirmed that it’s a case of suicide bombing,” he said in a text message Tuesday.

Año said the confirmation is based on post-blast and forensic investigation and testimonies of survivors.

READ: Año: Indonesian couple bombed Jolo church

It was President Rodrigo Duterte who first said the bombings were perpetrated by suicide bombers, even as investigators have yet to release the results of the probe at the time.

The Philippine National Police also later echoed the President’s pronouncement.

READ: Duterte: Suicide bombers carried out Jolo twin blasts

According to Año, foreign terrorists are now trying to educate Filipino tourists on suicide bombing.

“By showing and doing these suicide bombings, they are expecting the Filipino Muslim terrorists would follow soon. They underestimate the influence of Filipino culture to our Muslim brothers,” he said. /ee