Indonesia ready to help Philippines identify Jolo suicide bombers
MANILA, Philippines — The Indonesian government has expressed its willingness to assist the Philippines in verifying the identities of the supposed suicide bombers in Jolo, Sulu.
The twin bombings at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral in Jolo last month left more than 20 dead and dozens others wounded.
Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año earlier said that the bombers were an Indonesian couple, based on his intelligence sources.
The woman reportedly detonated the first improvised explosive device inside the church while the man detonated the second one outside near the entrance.
"Identification is on the process but may take time. The Indonesian government is willing to assist. It is officially confirmed that it's a case of suicide bombing," Año told reporters.
The confirmation that it was a case of suicide bombing came from the post-blast and forensic investigation, as well as testimonies of survivors, according to a report from state-run Philippine News Agency.
Año insisted that the twin bombings in Jolo were a way for foreign terrorists to teach Filipino terrorists their operations.
"That is what they are trying to do. By showing and doing these suicide bombings, they are expecting Filipino Muslim terrorists would follow soon," he said.
DNA testing on unclaimed remains
Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde, meanwhile, said they would need to conduct a DNA test on two unclaimed pairs of feet to further validate this.
"We will subject everyone who died in DNA testing even if it is a long process," Albayalde said.
Albayalde also said that the PNP is coordinating with their Indonesian counterparts in identifying the suicide bombers.
"There are more pieces of evidence that need to be carefully examine to test its consistency with other facts and circumstances surrounding the incident," the police chief added.
A few days ago, the prime suspect in the Jolo twin blasts surrendered himself to authorities.
Albayalde earlier confirmed that Kammah Pae, alias "Kamah", and four of his allged accomplices surrendered over the weekend. Kamah has been identified as the alleged bomb maker and a brother of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Surakah Ingog. — Patricia Lourdes Viray
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