EXPECT a tightened security in places of convergence in the Cordillera region following two explosions that hit a Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, Sulu on Sunday with the deaths toll reaching at least 20 and 81 others reported injured.
Chief Superintendent Rolando Nana, Police Regional Office Cordillera (PRO-COR) director, said the measure is to ensure no such incident will occur in the region particularly in Baguio City during the month long Panagbenga activities wherein tourists are expected to flock to the country’s Summer Capital.
“We have issued a directive to our city, provincial and municipal police offices in the region for them to enhance their security measures and strengthen their intelligence monitoring activities aside from engaging all stakeholders,” Nana said.
As of Monday, January 28, a total of 20 people -- five soldiers and 15 civilians -- were killed, while 98 other, including two policemen and several other soldiers, were wounded when two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) went off at the cathedral in Jolo.
Among those killed in the twin explosions who are with the infantry hailed from the Cordillera and Isabella Province -- Sargent Mark Des Simbre of the Philippine Army and a resident of San Ramon West, San Isidro Isabella and Corporal John B. Mangawit of Mabaca, Tanudan, Kalinga.
The injured were Staff Sergeant Victor Ubaldo Jr. of Gubauan, Echage, Isabella; Corporals Jones Ngitit of Malibcong, Abra, and Timothy Bigot of Boliney also in Abra Province; Private First Class Jonathan Magguia of Bulanao, Tabuk City Kalinga and Private Cliver Serquina also of Tabuk City.
Witnesses said the first blast was inside the cathedral, sending churchgoers, some of them wounded, to stampede out of the main door.
Authorities have identified the brother of an Abu Sayyaf leader as among those responsible for the twin blasts in a church in Jolo, Sulu.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde said Monday, January 28, that a certain alias Kamah, brother of slain Abu Sayyaf leader Surakah Ingog, was spotted along with several other people through a closed-circuit television camera roaming around the Our Lady of Mount Carmel cathedral minutes before the explosion.
Kamah is an alleged bomb expert, said Albayalde.
Albayalde said they are also looking into a group for possible involvement in the bombings, stressing such incident cannot be staged by a lone suspect.
“Well, merong sinasabi ‘yung PD (provincial director) dito na one person (of interest) pero tinitingnan a group, of course, kasi there are several threat groups... I am sure hindi naman nagtatrabaho yan na isa-isa. Ito naman meron pwedeng mga taga-gawa, iba ‘yung tagalagay at iba ‘yung taga detonate, so hindi pwedeng iisang tao ito,” he said.
According to the PNP’s latest update, 20 persons -- five soldiers, one Coast Guard member and 14 civilians -- were killed, while a total of 112 people -- two policemen, 18 soldiers, two Coast Guard personnel, and 90 civilians -- were wounded in the twin bombings.
Security forces earlier said that police and military personnel were positioned in the area while the mass was ongoing. (With a report from SunStar Philippines)