Main suspect in Jolo cathedral twin blasts surrenders

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 11:33 a.m.) — The prime suspect in the fatal Jolo cathedral twin bombings has surrendered to authorities, the head of the Philippine National Police announced Monday.

In a press briefing Monday, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said Kammah Pae, alias "Kamah"—the main suspect in the bomb attack at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral last week—and four of his alleged accomplices surrendered over the weekend.

“Kamah” was forced to surrender to the military before he was turned over to the police, while the others surrendered to the police’s Special Investigation Task Group, Albayalde said.

Pae denied involvement in the bomb attack.

“But based on eyewitnesses and accounts of these people, they’re pointing to him,” the country’s top cop said. 

Albayalde noted that Pae was a liaison of Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, who succeeded Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, who was killed in October 2017 during the battle for Marawi City.

“Kamah” was earlier identified as the alleged bomb maker and a brother of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Surakah Ingog. 

Charges of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder will be filed against Pae and the others.

The twin blast, which happened during Sunday services, killed at least 22 people and injured dozens others. 

Possible case of suicide bombing

Albayalde stressed that the bombings at the Jolo cathedral has nothing to do with the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which creates the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao as a replacement for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. 

“This is plain act of terror. This has been planned so many years back already,” he said. 

The country’s top cop said they believe that both blasts at the Jolo cathedral were cases of suicide bombing “based on accounts of these people and accounts of witnesses and other sources.”

Senior Superintendent Pablo Labra, Sulu provincial police director, said on Friday that the bomb attack could be the work of suicide bombers but authorities have yet to conclude that it was. 

President Rodrigo Duterte also said that a couple set off the couple set off the explosions at the church. A woman allegedly detonated the bomb inside the church while her “husband” detonated the explosive outside, the president suggested. 

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has not ruled out suicide bombing but is also looking into leads that it was not. — Gaea Katreena Cabico