MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command on Tuesday released a footage taken near the Jolo cathedral, showing the suspected bomber fleeing the scene.
Authorities are looking into the man wearing a blue green jacket, seen in the earlier part of the CCTV footage, known as Alias Kamah, as the person who detonated the bomb.
“Kamah” is an alleged bomb maker and is the brother of slain Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Surakah Ingog.
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the double bomb attack at the Catholic church on a southern Philippine island that killed at least 18 people, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist activities.
The ISIS, also as reported on SITE, claimed responsibility for a shooting incident in a Pasay City casino in June 2017. However, investigation later showed that a lone gunman—who had a gambling problem—was behind the attack in the casino.
The police said that they are not discounting ISIS' claim but are looking into several "threat groups" as the suspects of the bombing.
Meanwhile, Col. Gerry Bersama, spokesman and civil military operations chief of the WestMinCom, said that the incident “was the handiwork of the Abu Sayyaf Group.”
The STAR quoted Brig. Gen. Divino Pabayo, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, as saying that initial probe showed that members of the “Ajang-ajang,” sons of killed Abu Sayyaf extremists, are the suspected bombers.
The bombing incident that came days after the Bangsamoro Organic Law was ratified killed at least 20 people and injured more than 90 civilians and law enforcement agents. — Kristine Joy Patag with a report from Zamboanga City by THE STAR/Roel Pareño, Video from AFP Western Mindanao Command/released