‘Act of terrorism’: Mindanao’s Hataman wants twin Jolo bombings probed

MANILA, Philippines — Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman of Basilan is calling for an investigation on the twin bombings in Jolo, Sulu, on Monday that killed at least 11 people and wounded 24 others, branding the incident as an “act of terrorism.”

Hataman made the call as he condemned the “brazen act of violence and terrorism” that happened in Jolo committed by “people who only know how to sow fear in order to hide their cowardice.”

“Masakit sa puso ang makita ang mga larawan ng mga biktima sa dalawang pagsabog sa Jolo kahapon na nasa social media na at online,” Hataman said.

(It hurts to see images of the victims of the twin explosion in Jolo yesterday that we see on social media and online.)

“At mas lalong masakit para sa mga kamag-anak at kaibigan ng mga biktima ang sinapit ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay, na naroon lamang sa maling lugar at oras dahil kailangan nilang kumita at maghanap-buhay,” the House leader added.

(And it hurts more for the relatives and friends of the victims since their loved ones were just at the wrong place at the wrong time.)

Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) commander Major General Corleto Vinluan Jr. earlier said that the first explosion, which occurred at Paradise Food Shop beside the Syntax computer shop on Serrantes St., Barangay Walled City at 11:54 a.m. of Monday, killed five soldiers and wounded 16 others.

The second blast, Vinluan added, happened at Goteckleng Building, which was only a hundred meters away from the site of the first blast. It was in the second explosion that a suspected female suicide bomber and a soldier were killed, while two soldiers and six policemen were wounded.

READ: 11 soldiers, civilians slain, 24 others wounded in Jolo

“There are also military and police personnel among the casualties. Nais po naming iparating ang aming pagsaludo sa inyong mga sakripisyo, na kahit alam ninyo ang panganib na nakaamba sa Sulu ay pinili nyo pa ding madestino dito upang tugisin ang mga terorista at tumulong sa panunumbalik ng kapayapaan at normal na buhay para sa ating mga kababayan doon,” Hataman said.

(We want to salute them for their sacrifice that even though they knew about the dangers of being in Sulu, they chose to be assigned there to fight terrorism and help in restoring peace and normalcy for our countrymen there.)

“Now more than ever, we condemn this act of terrorism. Walang lugar ang terorismo sa ating mapayapang lipunan, at lalong walang lugar ang mga terorista sa ating mga pamayanan at bayan,” he added.

(There is no place for terrorism in a peaceful society, and there is no place for terrorists in our country.)

The House leader said the incident “puts to test the recently enacted Anti-Terrorism Law.”

“(W)e hope to see it work without the abuses and misuses we warned about concerning indiscriminate arrests and violations of human rights,” Hataman said.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday said it will conduct an investigation into the twin bombings, calling the act as “cruel and inhuman.”

KGA