Army officer: Jolo twin bombings not a failure of intelligence

MANILA, Philippines — The twin bombings in Jolo, Sulu province on Monday could not be deemed as a failure of intelligence as the military continues to monitor and secure the area for possible bombings.

Army 11th Infantry Division Civil Military Relations Officer Lt. Col. Ronald Mateo on Tuesday said the military as well as the police have deployed personnel in several areas in Sulu to monitor and secure populous places that could be targets for bombings.

The military has likewise conducted intelligence operations for possible suicide bombings.

“Tuluy tuloy pa rin yung pagmonitor natin sa bombing dito sa Jolo. Pinaigting namin yung security operations sa mga matataong lugar sa Jolo,” he said in an interview over ABS CBN News Channel.

(We are continuously monitoring for bombing here in Jolo. We also intensified security operations in densely populated places in Jolo.)

“Yes, this cannot be deemed as a failure of intelligence kasi nakahanda kami rito [because we are ready for this],” Mateo added.

The twin explosions have killed at least 15 people — seven soldiers, six civilians, one policeman and the “suicide bomber” — and wounded 75 others.

Mateo said the bombings were likely perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf group led by Mundi Sawadjaan.

This was the same person who got away from the pursuing four Army intelligence officers in Jolo when they were gunned down on June 29 by policemen near the police station at Barangay Walled City in Jolo.

JPV