PNP chief flies to bomb-stricken Jolo

A body and debris can be seen outside the doorway of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Jolo, Sulu, Sunday morning, Jan. 27, 2019, after two bombs exploded inside and outside the Catholic cathdral.  Photos from United Kabalikat Civicom Jolo chapter, a citizen communications group

MANILA, Philippines — Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Monday flew to Jolo, Sulu, where twin blasts during a celebration of a Catholic Mass left at least 20 people dead and over a hundred injured.

Senior Supt. Bernand Banac, spokesperson of the PNP, said Albayalde visited Jolo to personally witness the investigation on the fatal bombings on Sunday, Jan. 27.

“Lumipad [si PNP chief Albayalde sa Jolo] para personal na tingnan ang imbestigasyon sa pagsabog, to condole with the families of the victims and to rally the forces doon sa Jolo, Sulu, [also] to maintain alertness and vigilance and to encourage them to fight this seemingly act of terrorism,” he told reporters in a text message.

(PNP chief Albayalde flew to Jolo to personally witness the investigation on the blasts, to condole with the families of the victims and to rally the forces there in Jolo, Sulu, also to maintain alertness and vigilance and to encourage them to fight this seemingly act of terrorism.)

The Islamic State (IS) through its news agency Amaq claimed they were the perpetrators of the explosions.

The military said an initial investigation pointed to the Abu Sayyaf Group, a band of Islamic extremists notorious for kidnapping and bombings in the South, as the perpetrators of the attack.

In January 2017, the Defense department confirmed that a faction of the Abu Sayyaf under Isnilon Hapilon joined IS. However, soldiers killed Hapilon, who was named emir of IS in Asia, in the closing days of the siege of Marawi City in October 2017. /cbb

READ: Hapilon is designated ISIS leader in PH, Calida confirms / Lorenzana confirms Isnilon Hapilon, Omar Maute killed

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