‘No imminent threat’ in Cebu after Jolo, Sulu blasts killed 20

(Contributed photo)
(Contributed photo)

THE death toll from the twin explosions that struck a church in Jolo, Sulu Sunday, Jan. 27, has reached 20 while 81 others were wounded, according to the Police Regional Office in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The military, however, reported different figures.

As of 2 p.m. Sunday, the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said 18 people were killed while 83 were wounded.

Those killed from the government side were five Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel and one Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel. The rest were civilians.

Among the wounded were 16 AFP troopers, two PCG men and 65 civilians.

In Cebu, Senior Supt. Manuel Abrugena, provincial police director, said there was no imminent threat in the province following the twin explosions in Sulu.

However, the province would be under tight security, he said.

“We are doing our best to ensure that the Cebu island is free from any terror group activities,” he said.

The casualties were transported to the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Station Hospital and the Integrated Provincial Health Office-Jolo.

In a statement, the ARMM police under Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares strongly condemned the attack which it said occurred at 8:45 a.m. Sunday.

“These bestial and inhumane acts to instill terrorism, fear, and conflict should stop. This utter disregard for human lives should be put to an end,” Mijares said.

“We are for peace and unity. We shall ensure that the full force of the law be used to prosecute and convict these lawless and ruthless perpetrators,” he added.

The police also called on the public to be vigilant and “avoid spreading false and malicious rumors that would cause greater fear and panic.”

Westmincom spokesman Lt. Colonel Gerry Besana said based on report, the twin explosions happened between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

An improvised explosive device (IED) went off inside the cathedral just before the mass started despite heavy security in the area. A second IED exploded at the parking lot of the church shortly after.

“The troops were just outside, guarding the perimeter. They usually provide security whenever there is a Mass or when our Muslim brothers are in prayer,” Besana said in Tagalog.

“What happened was when the bomb or IED exploded, all the troops in the vicinity responded which was why there were plenty of casualties,” he added.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde ordered government forces to immediately secure the area and conduct an investigation to catch the perpetrators.

Albayalde said among those considered as possible suspects in the bloody incident was the local terrorist group, Abu Sayyaf Group.

The attack took place two days after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared the ratification by the ARMM of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

The Comelec, sitting as the National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers, recorded more than 1.5 million “Yes” votes against the 198,750 “No” votes.

Sulu, however, voted “No.” Based on the Certificate of Canvass of Votes, Sulu recorded 163,526 “No” votes compared to 137,630 “Yes” votes.

Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan II had also questioned the constitutionality of the BOL before the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Catholic bishops condemned the explosions and described these as “acts of terrorism.”

In a statement, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines called on all Christians to “join hands with all peace-loving Muslim and indigenous people communities in the advocacy against violent extremism.”

“May all our religions of peace guide us in our quest for a brighter future for the peoples of Mindanao,” they said.

Archdiocese of Cebu spokesman Msgr. Joseph Tan hoped the bombings at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral would not happen in other places in Mindanao.

He urged the faithful to include in their prayers the souls of the victims and the Oratio Imperata for peace in the country.

In a separate interview, Msgr. Ruben Labajo, team moderator of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, said he already requested police security at the cathedral, adding that the private guards would inspect the church and its grounds for any suspicious objects or persons.

He said they would monitor security cameras placed inside and outside the cathedral.

Abrugena said police are coordinating with the military to preempt any untoward incident in Cebu. (FROM MVI OF SUNSTAR PHILIPPINES, KAL, SGV OF SPERBALITA CEBU)

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