Duterte condoled with Jolo twin blast victims — Palace

Photo from Sen. Bong Go

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte visited Jolo in Sulu and condoled with victims of the recent twin explosions there that killed a number of civilians and members of the military and police, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Sunday.

“This is to confirm that PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) visited Jolo, condoled with some of the victims of the latest blast, and conferred with the Mayor,” Roque said in a message.

“He is expected back in Manila tonight,” he added.

During the “Singing for the President” event, an online concert held for him earlier in the day, Duterte announced that he was on his way to Jolo to visit the blast site.

“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 fulfil the duty of a commander in chief,” the President added.

Roque earlier said Duterte will consider recommendations to declare martial law in Sulu following the twin blasts.

Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) commander Major General Corleto Vinluan Jr. earlier said that the first explosion occurred 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