Duterte to visit Jolo blast sites

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is set to visit Jolo in Sulu which was recently rocked by twin explosions that killed a number of civilians and members of the military and police.

Duterte announced his visit to Jolo during the “Singing for the President” event, an online concert held for him.

“I’m going to Jolo, diretso ako ngayon sa Jolo, doon sa blast site. Mabigyan ko lang ang mga sandalo natin, mga sundalo ko, mga pulis ko ng importansya sa kanilang kamatayan,” Duterte said.

“I’ll go there to fulfill the duty of a commander in chief,” the President added.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said Duterte will consider recommendations to declare martial law in Sulu following the twin blasts in Jolo that killed at least 14 people.

Roque said the President “listens” to those on the ground, but noted that Congress and the Supreme Court must also give their nod to the recommendations given by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) commander Major General Corleto Vinluan Jr. earlier said that the first explosion happened at Paradise Food Shop beside the Syntax computer shop on Serrantes St., Barangay Walled City on August 24.

The second blast, Vinluan added, happened at Goteckleng Building, which was only a hundred meters away from the site of the first blast.

/MUF