PNP says Jolo bombing mirrors 2018 Lamitan blast

January 29, 2019

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde said the twin blasts in Jolo, Sulu is similar with the Lamitan bombing incident last 2018.

In a radio interview, Albayalde said the suspected member of the “Ajang-ajang” which is the urban terrorist group of the Abu Sayyaf caught on the CCTV camera near the church pledged allegiance with ISIS.

“This is what we are seeing and we are looking into because it is similar with the incident in Lamitan. Remember that Lamitan bombing,” he said.

He added the Ajang-ajang group wants to have recognition from the ISIS terrorist group.

The PNP director general said there are no CCTV cameras near the church. He said the incident is a “plain act of terror”.

About the claim of ISIS that it is suicide bombing, Albayalde said they have yet to confirm the identities of the two bodies found in the blast site.

“If they were identified by their relatives then it is impossible that there is a suicide bomber there,” he said.

Based on their latest report, a total of 21 were reported dead while 54 are still at the hospital. Ella Dionisio/DMS