JTF Sulu says 2 suicide bombers behind Jolo blasts

(Photo from Joint Task Force Sulu)
(Photo from Joint Task Force Sulu)

THE Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu said on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, that two suicide bombers may have been involved in the latest attack in Jolo, Sulu.

Brigadier General William Gonzales, JTF Sulu commander, said they have acquired a closed circuit television (CCTV) footage that showed a suicide bomber may have also caused the first explosion.

The alleged bomber could not be identified, however, because the body was torn into pieces.

Authorities earlier said a female suicide bomber had caused the second explosion.

"May latest result na, ito lang ngayon lang, galing din ako sa site ng incident... may latest report at saka doon sa nakuha naming CCTV footage na 'yung first explosion ay ano rin ay possible na suicide bombing din," Gonzales said.

"Hindi lang ma-identify kung sino to kasi grabe 'yung ano, 'yung sa paligid ng crater talagang lasog-lasog 'yung katawan eh. Yung una hindi pa ma-identify kung babae kasi talagang grabe 'yung ano, 'yung ano talagang lasog-lasog talaga eh, hindi katulad noong pangalawang explosion may identification 'yung kaniyang scalp na talagang babae siya," Gonzales added.

(Based on the CCTV footage, the first explosion may have been a case of suicide bombing also. We have not identified the body because it was torn into pieces. In the second explosion, we were able to identify the perpetrator as a woman.)

The two explosions killed 15 people, including seven soldiers, a Special Action Force (SAF) policeman and six civilians. A total of 75 people were wounded.

The first occurred at 11:50 a.m. in front of a grocery store where the soldiers were procuring supplies while the second followed at 1 p.m. around 100 meters away from the site of the first blast.

Authorities earlier said the first blast came from an improvised explosive device planted in a motorcycle parked in front of the grocery store.

A female suicide bomber set off the second explosion while she was being accosted by a soldier.

Philippine Army Chief Cirilito Sobejana said they were monitoring two female suicide bombers who might have caused the explosions. (SunStar Philippines)

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