Twin blasts at Jolo cathedral

Five suspects in the Jolo cathedral bombings, including Kammah "Kamah" Pae, have surrendered to authorities, the Philippine National Police announces.

Director General Oscar Albayalde, PNP chief, says on DZMM TeleRadyo that the suspects were forced to surrender because of the massive operations to catch them.

He says Kamah initially surrendered to the Philippine Army, and was turned over to the PNP. The others soon followed suit and surrendered to the Special Investigation Task Group formed to probe the bombings, which killed 22 people and injured dozens more.

The Westmincom releases the latest death toll on the Jolo cathedral blast.

As of 6:25 p.m. on Tuesday, January 29, it says they recorded 21 deaths (14 civilians, six soldiers and one Coast Guard personnel) and 100 wounded (84 civilians, 14 soldiers and two Coast Guard personnel).

The following are the names of the killed victims of the Sulu blast:

Armed Forces of the Philippines

1. Sergeant Mark Des P. Simbre (Inf) PA- from San Isidro, Isabela
2. Corporal John B. Mangawit, Jr. (Inf) PA- from Kalinga
3. Corporal Minard Jann P. Ocier (Inf) PA- from Barangay Managok, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon
4. Private First Class Alizon L. Ayoman (Inf) PA- from Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte
5. Private Hernan U. Bulaybulay (Inf) PA- from Pagadian City
6. Private Leomar P. Degumbis(Inf) PA- from Iligan City

Philippine Coast Guard

7. SN2 Jaypee M. Galicha PCG

Civilians

8. Mr. Leo Herbolario
9. Ms. Bibing Perpetua
10. Mr. Reynaldo Pescadera, Sr.
11. Mr. Ridzmar Mukadil
12. Mr. Romolo B. Reyes
13. Ms. Albacora Perpetua
14. Ms. Niseria Dela Cruz
15. Ms. Cecilia Sanchez
16. Ms. Daisy P. Delos Reyes
17. Ms. Dolores S. Tan
18. Ms. Fe Non
19. Ms. Juliet Jaime
20. Ms. Leah Angelica Reyes
21. Ms. Chenly Rubio

France says it "utterly condemns" the bombings at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu on Sunday.  

"France utterly condemns the attack against the cathedral in Jolo Island last January 27... France extends its condolences to the victims' families, as well as to the Filipino people. It stands alongside the Philippines in the fight against terrorism." #Jolo #Sulu #Philippines pic.twitter.com/DsQyHlwMZc

— France in the PH (@FrenchEmbassyPH) January 29, 2019

"France extends its condolences to the victims' families, as well as to the Filipino people. It stands alongside the Philippines in the fight against terrorism," the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs says in a statement posted on its social media accounts.

In response to the Jolo bombing, AFP Central Command—the military area command for the Visayas— is undertaking measures to prevent any form of terror attacks in the region, The Freeman reports from Cebu.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Police Office Director Royina Garma directed police to secure churches that usually draw larger crowds. 

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to visit the blast site in Jolo, Sulu and assess the situation there himself.

Top security officials have gone ahead to Jolo in preparation for the visit and to conduct an inspection of the blast site.

Authorities are asking Jolo residents to cooperate with the investigation into the bombings at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

In an interview aired on ABS-CBN, Director General Oscar Albayalde, Philippine National Police chief, says investigators are still looking for evidence into what type of explosive was used in the bomb attacks, which happened as people were about to hear Sunday mass.

Jolo, the capital town of Sulu province, is reportedly on lockdown and residents have been advised to stay in their homes as security personnel continue with their investigation. The bombings have also prompted an increased military presence in thr town.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines has condemned the bombings at the Jolo cathedral and sent condolences to the families of the 27 who died in the attack. It says it is in solidarity with the victims "and with the rest of the church community in the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo."

READ | Pahayag ng Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines kasunod ng pambobomba sa Jolo, Sulu kaninang umaga. pic.twitter.com/UZjWwlXJsE

— News5 AKSYON (@News5AKSYON) January 27, 2019

"We ask our Christian brethren to join hands with all peace loving Muslim and Indigenous People communities in the advocacy against violent extremism," the CBCP also says.

Authorities say that as of 12:40 p.m., the death toll in the bombing rose to 27 while 77 were wounded.

Casualties included 20 civilians, five 35th Infantry Battalion troops and a member of the Coast Guard.

Meanwhile, 61 civilians were wounded along with two members of the Coast Guard and two cops.

The culprits behind the twin blasts are still unknown but authorities are looking into the Abu Sayyaf. 

Jolo lies in the proposed Bangsamoro Muslim-majority autonomous region, which local voters overwhelmingly approved last week.

Two explosions hit a cathedral in Jolo, Sulu as mass was about to start at around 8:15 a.m. on Sunday, January 27.

The first bomb exploded inside the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Western Mindanao Command says. A few seconds later, another blast happened in the cathedral's parking area, where an improvised explosive device was placed inside the utility box of a motorcycle.

Westmincom says in its initial report that 17 were killed, including five responding soldiers, while 57 were wounded.