PNP mobilizes forces in response to Jolo twin bombings
MANILA, Philippines — The national police is mobilizing all available security forces in the aftermath of the twin bombings in Jolo, Sulu that claimed the lives of at least 14 individuals.
Police Brig. Gen. Manuel Abu, Bangsamoro PNP Regional Director, has also been directed by the chief of police to further intensify the conduct of checkpoints, police visibility patrols, and focused intelligence and law enforcement operations in close coordination with the military.
The incident, which the PNP tagged as the latest act of terrorism in the country, killed one PNP personnel, seven AFP personnel and six civilians.
It also wounded 72 others, including 6six PNP personnel, 18 AFP soldiers and 48 civilians.
The lone police casualty was identified as Senior Master Sergeant Joe Michael Langbis, a member of PNP Special Action Force.
The PNP public information office said in a statement that a follow-up report found that an improvised explosive device was detonated in front of Paradise Enterprises in Brgy. Walled City, Jolo, Sulu. The PNP also called on the public to provide any information to assist in identifying the suspects.
"We join the entire Filipino nation in strong condemnation of this senseless act of terror for whatever motive its perpetrators may have even during this time of pandemic", Gamboa expressed.
"While we express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased and sympathy to the wounded, we assure them of our keen resolve and commitment to bring to justice those responsible for this vicious attack", he added.
CHR calls on gov't to investigate bombings
In a statement, the Commission on Human Rights called on government to conduct investigations into the twin bombings, which it said "comes at a time when the country observes the International Humanitarian Law Month."
The commission added that it would also be forming a team to investigate the incident through it concerned regional office.
"The recent bombing in Jolo, Sulu is cruel and inhuman. No one should be made to suffer from such violence...We call on the government to investigate this incident and make perpetrators accountable for this crime in line with government’s obligation to uphold and protect human rights of all," the statement reads.
"We call out the perpetrators of this bombing for their blatant disregard for protection granted to civilians against such assaults...preserving human dignity is a shared responsibility and we, likewise, urge non-State parties to respect this call in defense of human rights."
The August 24, 2020 bombings in Jolo, Sulu left 14 people dead and 75 people injured. Authorities said two suicide bombers — widows of Abu Sayyaf terrorists — detonated the bombs, which exploded around an hour apart.
The military has awarded medals and assistance to five soldiers who survived and recovered from critical injuries in the twin bombings in Jolo, Sulu in August.
Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), says Cpl. Jeric Gil Villaruz, Privates First Class Jayson Paguirigan, Vincent Malupa, and Dave Egipto, and Private Baser Katipon were conferred the Wounded Personnel Medal (WPM) for the wounds sustained during the bombing incident perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf Group on August 24, 2020 in the downtown of Jolo.
The five soldiers were among the more than 70 soldiers, police and civilians injured in the carnage staged by two female Indonesian suicide bombers which also killed 15 others.
“They are among those who incurred major injuries and were treated in private hospitals here in the city. We are happy that they are now in better condition,” Vinluan said during the simple ceremony. — The STAR/Roel Pareño
Philippine Army Chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana says he respects the decision of the Duterte government on his recommendation for Sulu.
“But I’m not insisting on the martial law declaration over Sulu. I always respect the wisdom of our president and other national leaders as well as the general sentiment of the public,” Sobejana tells The STAR. — The STAR/Roel Pareño
Provincial officials honored one of the soldiers killed in last week’s bombings in Jolo, Sulu with a visit to his wake in M'lang town in North Cotabato on Sunday.
Relatives of PFC James Soriaga Apolinario, one of the Army servicemen killed in explosions that rocked Jolo on August 24, told reporters they were elated with the visit of Gov. Nancy Catamco to personally condole with the Apolinario family.
Apolinario, who belonged to the 21st Infantry Battalion, was born and raised in Barangay Magallion in M'lang.
Catamco was accompanied to the ancestral home of the Apolinarios in Barangay Magallion by Brig. Gen. Roberto Capulong of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade, North Cotabato Rep. Jose Tejada and M'lang Mayor Russel Abonado. — The STAR/John Unson
President Rodrigo Duterte says he will visit Jolo, Sulu from Davao City, adding he plans to go to the blast site to mark the deaths of security personnel.
"Mabigyan ko lang yung mga sandalo natin, mga sundalo ko, mga pulis ko ng importansya sa kanilang kamatayan," he says.
He adds: "I’ll go there to fulfill the duty of a commander in chief." — from a report by The STAR/Alexis Romero
The Commission on Human Rights condemns the "cruel and inhuman" bombings in Jolo, which comes at a time when the Philippines observes the International Humanitarian Law Month.
CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia says the commission calls out the perpetrators of the attack for their "blatant disregard for protection granted to civilians."
"We call on the government to investigate this incident and make perpetrators accountable for this crime in line with government’s obligation to uphold and protect human rights of all," De Guia says in a statement.
READ: Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the Jolo blast https://t.co/hQ7StvnSO9 pic.twitter.com/ugIyewdixT
— CHR Philippines (@chrgovph) August 26, 2020
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