MANILA – The Islamic State on Monday claimed responsibility over the bombing incident at a Catholic Church in Jolo, Sulu on Sunday morning that claimed at least 20 lives.
In a report posted at the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist activities, the Islamic State have issued a formal communique saying two suicide bombers had detonated explosive belts.
“The Islamic State’s (IS) ‘East Asia Province’ issued a formal communique for the dual suicide bombing at a Church in Jolo, in Sulu province of the Philippines,” the website stated.
However, the claim proved to be dubious as a military report on Sunday said that the second bomb was left in the utility box of a motorcycle in the parking area outside the church.
Even with the Islamic State’s claim, the Western Mindanao Command’s initial investigation pointed to Abu Sayyaf’s “Ajang-Ajang” group as the suspects based on the recovered CCTV footages.
But the military said it is not discounting the possibility that other groups were involved in the twin blasts, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo said in a television interview.
He added that the security forces are also investigating if the incident is linked to the recently-concluded plebiscite in the area for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
“We are not discounting the possibility na mayroon pang iba na maging suspek dito sa nangyaring pagsabog na ito,” Arevalo said in an interview with GMA 7’s Unang Balita on Monday.
“Hindi po natin i-rule out, ano? Kagaya po ng sinasabi natin kanina pangunahin po nating suspek ang grupo ng Abu Sayyafm subalit sabi nga po natin, hindi po natin dini-discount ang iba pa nating possibility,” he added. “Mayroon tayong ginagawang pursuit operations at sa ngayon ay atin pong tinutugis at hindi po natin tatantanan ang mga hinihinalang miyembro na ‘yan ng Abu Sayyaf na siya pong pangunahin nating itinuturing na suspects.”
Some 20 people, including civilians and soldiers, died in the blasts as of Sunday afternoon. Around 80 more people, including civilians, soldiers, and policemen were also reportedly injured because of the explosions.
Security forces already placed Jolo under a lock-down following the incident, while tight security are also being implemented in the cities of Isabela and Lamitan in Basilan province. Metro Manila has also been placed on heightened alert./PN
