MANILA – Nine persons were killed while 17 others were hurt in a twin explosion that ripped through the town plaza of Jolo, Sulu on Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
The first blast occurred at Paradise Food Shop in Terante Street, Barangay Walled City at 11:40 a.m. Elements from the Jolo Municipal Police Station rushed to the area to evacuate the casualties.
The second incident happened at around 1:00 p.m. over 70 meters away from the first explosion when police was cordoning off the area.
Authorities have yet to determine what kind of bomb was used in Jolo incident, while the names of casualties and injured were not yet available.
Joint Task Force Sulu spokesman Captain Rex Payot said in an interview with GMA News Online that military forces were assisting local government officials in their COVID-19 response efforts when the blast happened.
“While conducting security support in this operation, biglang sumabog itong bomba,” Payot said. “Sabihin ko na may mga casualties talaga tayo doon. I don’t know kung ilan ang sugatan. As of now we are responding kung ano puwede namin maitulong.”/PN
