Police clear 4 persons of interest in Jolo bombing 

MANILA, Philippines — The four persons of interest who voluntarily submitted themselves to the Philippine National Police Wednesday have been cleared. 

“Ang apat kalalakihang unang nakita sa CCTV footage at unang pinahayag na persons of interests ay inalis na po sa listahan ng persons of interest kaugnay ng pambobomba sa Jolo, Sulu,” police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Bernard Banac said in a press conference on Thursday afternoon. 

(The four men seen in the CCTV footage and who were reported as persons of interests have been removed from the list in connection with the bombing in Jolo, Sulu.)

The Western Mindanao Command reported Wednesday that the four persons of interest submitted themselves for questioning on Wednesday morning. 

READ: Four persons of interest in Jolo attack surrender 

The two were identified as Alshaber Arbi, 18, a high school student, described as the one in ponytail based on the CCTV camera footage, and Gerry Isnajil, a teacher wearing a maroon cap.

Two others also submitted themselves to authorities on Wednesday afternoon. They were identified as Alsimar Mohammad Albi, 24 and his 17-year-old companion. 

Alsimar and his companion were reportedly at a pharmacy nearby to buy medicine for the former's mother who was confined at the Integrated Provincial Health Office-Sulu Provincial Hospital when the explosion at the church happened. 

The latter two persons of interest said they do not know the two suspects seen on the CCTV camera footage. 

“Kahapon po, ay malaya silang dumulog sa himpilan ng ating pulisya sa Jolo, Sulu, at nagbigay ng kanilang sinumpaang salasay at mga ebidensya na nagpapatunay na wala silang kinalaman o tinatanggi nila na may kinalaman sila sa naganap ng pagbomba sa cathedral sa Jolo, Sulu,” Banac said. 

(Yesterday, they came to our police headquarters in Jolo, Sulu, and gave their sworn testimony and evidence that proved that they were not involved or denied that they were involved in the bombing of the cathedral in Jolo, Sulu)

On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte said that he believes the attacks were suicide bombings carried out by a woman and her husband who blew themselves up.

READ: Duterte: 2 suicide bombers behind cathedral attack

When asked if the police have confirmed this, Banac said the president has access to more intelligence and information and they are not ruling out. 
 
At least 21 were killed and 100 others injured in the attacks. — Ryan Macasero