Jolo blasts casualties decorated
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte decorated 15 injured soldiers after he visited the site of the two suicide bombings in Jolo, Sulu, that killed 17 and injured 75 others on Aug. 24.
Accompanied by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and presidential adviser on military affairs Arthur Tabaquero, the President went from the airport to the bombing site at Serrantes Street immediately upon his arrival at 3:40 p.m., according to Lt. Col. Rolando Mateo, spokesperson of Joint Task Force Sulu.
He then motored to Camp General Teodulfo Bautista in Barangay Bus-bus where he spoke to soldiers for more than an hour. Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan and some town mayors were among the audience.
After the pep talk with troops, Duterte went to Kuta Heneral Bautista hospital and decorated the 15 injured soldiers with Wounded Personnel Medals. He also awarded posthumous medals to the families of three slain Tausug troopers.
The President himself announced on Sunday that he would go to Jolo as he thanked supporters who organized an online concert for him on Facebook.
