PNP yet to identify perpetrators in Sulu blasts

January 27, 2019

The Philippine National Police has yet to figure out the perpetrators in the deadly twin explosions in a Catholic church in Jolo, Sulu on Sunday, an official said.

In a radio interview, Albayalde said there was still no clear angle in the bombings at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which left 18 people dead and 82 others injured.

“Security forces are looking into different threat groups in the area,” he said.

One of the possible groups the authorities have been looking into is the Abu Sayyaf Group whose member include an alleged Morrocan national and was also also allegedly involved in the Lamitan, Basilan blast in July 2018.

“Accordingly, based on our provincial director, they are looking into the Abu Sayyaf group. And they are also checking if it is pertinent in the Lamitan bombing where an alleged Morrocan was involved,” Albayalde said.

“It is one of our angles, of course, the members of the Abu Sayyaf Group,” he said.

The PNP chief said based on their intelligence information, the threat was strong in the area.

He added it is still unclear if the bombing was related to the recently concluded Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite.

“As of now, it’s still unclear if the bombing has something to do with the recently concluded Bangsamoro plebiscite,” said Albayalde. Ella Dionisio/DMS