Immigration agents on heightened alert following Jolo cathedral bombing
MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Immigration agents across the country were placed under heightened alert for the possible entry of foreign terrorists following the Jolo cathedral twin bombing last weekend.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said he has directed the bureau’s Port of Operations Division to “be on the lookout for suspected foreign terrorists who might attempt to enter the country.”
Immigration officers were also ordered to be doubly vigilant in screening arriving foreign travelers and to make sure that they have legitimate purposes in entering the country.
Two bombs exploded in Jolo on Sunday, one inside the church and another at the parking area. At least 20 were killed and almost a hundred were injured in the incident.
ISIS on Monday claimed responsibility for the attack, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist activities.
The group earlier also said they were behind the Resorts World attack in 2017, but it was later found out that a lone gunman unaffiliated with them attacked the casino hotel.
Following Morente’s orders, BI Ports Division chief Grifton Medina said he directed all immigration officers to make sure that only foreign nationals who are properly documented and are legitimate travellers with valid reasons in coming here are admitted.
Members of the Travel Control and Enforcer Unit and Border Control Intelligence Unit were ordered to be extra vigilant in their duties.
The TCEU is tasked to conduct secondary inspection of passengers with doubtful documents while the BCIU monitors and spots passengers acting suspiciously or exhibiting unusual behaviors.
Philippine authorities, meanwhile, said they are not discounting the claim of the international terrorist group, but added that they are looking into a certain alias “Kamah” as the suspected bomber.
“Kamah” is an alleged bomb maker and is the brother of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Surakah Ingog.
RELATED: WATCH: Suspected bomber flees Jolo cathedral
Authorities placed Jolo, Sulu under lockdown while police nationwide are ordered to be on heightened alert following the bombing.
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