Four persons of interest in Jolo bombing surrender to clear themselves

January 30, 2019

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Four persons of interest in the twin blasts on a church in Jolo surrendered to authorities to clear their names, a military official said Wednesday.

Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said they were  Alshaber Arbi, 18; Gerry Isnajil; Alsimar Mohammad Albi, 24; and, Julius Abdulzam Albi, 17.

Besana said Arbi, a Grade 11 student of the Kalingalan Caluang National High School, and Isnajil, a teacher in the same school, were caught by closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera after the explosions at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel cathedral on Sunday in Barangay Walled City, Jolo.

On the CCTV footage, Arbi wore a ponytail while Isnajil had a maroon baseball cap with red backpack.

Besana said Arbi and Isnajil surrendered to Senior Supt. Pablo Labra II, Sulu police director, around 10 a.m. Wednesday to clear their names.

He said the Albis (Alsimar and Julius) turned themselves in to Labra around 3 p.m. to denby involvement. 

He said investigation showed prior to the first explosion, the two went to a pharmacy to buy medicine for Alsimar’s mother who is confined at the Integrated Provincial Health Office hospital.

Julius went near the area where the second explosion occurred.

Alsimar called Julius to stay away, when the suspects who were seen behind him, fled.

The four were turned over to a special task group investigating the twin blasts.

Chief Superintendent Graciano Mijares, regional police director, said authorities have yet to clear the four of involvement in the Jolo blasts. DMS