Jolo on lockdown after twin blasts

Photo shows the inside of Jolo Cathedral following Sunday morning’s blasts. Photos from United Kabalikat Civicom Jolo chapter, a citizen communications group

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A lockdown has been imposed on Jolo following deadly twin explosions that left more than 20 people killed and more than 80 wounded on Sunday.

Panglima Estino Mayor Ben Estino told the Inquirer that a lockdown had been imposed on the city, which meant no one could get out or get in the city.

“People are advised to stay home if they don’t have business downtown. This is to cordon, sanitize and locate the culprits in the bombing,” the mayor said.

Estino said even communications had been regulated.

“There are certain periods that the signal is down, especially after the incident. We support this measure because someone has to answer for what happened,” he said.

Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said they were raising funds to assist the families of blast victims.

“We have 70 wounded brought to Camp Navarro Hospital and 20 confirmed dead. We don’t have a complete list of names because a number of bodies are difficult to identify,” Hataman said.