Military says Jolo bombing mastermind still in Sulu

September 1, 2020

Mundi Sawadjaan , the alleged mastermind of the recent bombings in Jolo is still within the province of Sulu, said Major Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Western Mindanao Command chief.

"He (Mundi Sawadjaan) is still in Patikul. They are being hunted down by our troops. They encountered them around two days ago. There is one body count but four were actually killed,"  Vinluan said .

Vinluan made the confirmation following reports that the terrorists were able to move out of Sulu.

"That is not true. He (Sawadjaan) is still in Sulu as of this report," he said, denying reports that Sawadjaan and his group who are responsible in recent Jolo bombings are in Central Mindanao.

Vinluan said a bombing plot in Zamboanga mentioned by its local government was the terrorist plan that was supposed to be carried out by the Abu Sayyaf three months ago.

"That was their plan last May, which they were not able to implement because of Covid protocols in two provinces in Sulu and Zamboanga which makes it difficult for them to travel," he said. Robina Asido/DMS