Duterte 'angered, disappointed' by Jolo blast
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte was angered by the bombing of a Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu which took the lives of at least 20 people, Malacañang said Monday.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the president would be visiting the blast site in Jolo this afternoon.
"For another, he is so disappointed that despite the movement to tread the path towards peace and development there are still certain forces in that region who sow terror and kill and murder people," Panelo said in a press briefing.
According to Panelo, Duterte has ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines to secure the safety of the residents in the area while investigations are ongoing.
The military was also directed to assist the families of those who were killed in the bombing.
'Martial law in Mindanao still effective'
Following Duterte's directive to the military, Panelo said the incident in Jolo calls for a more strict implementation of security measures in the area.
Asked if the implementation of martial law in Mindanao was still effective, Panelo said the Jolo Cathedral bombing was "isolated."
"There may be some lapses in security, how they were able to put there that motorcycle with a bomb despite the fact that there were soldiers securing the place," Panelo said.
The Malacañang spokesman pointed out that there was "no other reasonable conclusion."
The twin bombing in Jolo, Sulu came days before the Supreme Court is set to hold oral arguments on the petitions questioning the constitutionality of the third extension of martial law in Mindanao.
The high court earlier ordered the government to submit the Department of National Defense's monthly or periodic reports last year on the implementation of martial law.
The House of Representatives' "Magnificent Seve," the Makabayan bloc and a human rights group led by Christian Monsod, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution, will present their arguments before the court. — Patricia Lourdes Viray
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.
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.
Four persons of interest in the Jolo cathedral bombing have surrendered to authorities today to clear their names, Westmincom says.
Two personalities caught on a CCTV camera footage who were believed to be the suspects surrendered to police to clear their identity. Alshaber Arbi, 18, a Grade 11 student of Kalingalan Caluang National High School, and Gerry Isnajil, a teacher of the same school, submitted themselves to police at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 30.
Meanwhile, Alsimar Mohammad Albi, 24, and a minor companion went to the Sulu police provincial office at 3 p.m. Wednesday. The two said they went to a pharmacy to buy medicine for Alsimar’s mother who is confined at IPHO-Sulu. It was after they bought the medicine when the blast occurred.
"The two said that they are not familiar with the identities of the suspects and their purpose of coming out is to clear their names fearing that authorities will hunt them down," Westmincom says.
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
- Sergeant Mark Des P. Simbre (Inf) PA- from San Isidro, Isabela
- Corporal John B. Mangawit, Jr. (Inf) PA- from Kalinga
- Corporal Minard Jann P. Ocier (Inf) PA- from Barangay Managok, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon
- Private First Class Alizon L. Ayoman (Inf) PA- from Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte
- Private Hernan U. Bulaybulay (Inf) PA- from Pagadian City
- Private Leomar P. Degumbis(Inf) PA- from Iligan City
Philippine Coast Guard
- SN2 Jaypee M. Galicha PCG
Civilians
- Mr. Leo Herbolario
- Ms. Bibing Perpetua
- Mr. Reynaldo Pescadera, Sr.
- Mr. Ridzmar Mukadil
- Mr. Romolo B. Reyes
- Ms. Albacora Perpetua
- Ms. Niseria Dela Cruz
- Ms. Cecilia Sanchez
- Ms. Daisy P. Delos Reyes
- Ms. Dolores S. Tan
- Ms. Fe Non
- Ms. Juliet Jaime
- Ms. Leah Angelica Reyes
- 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.
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