DILG says security lapse led to Jolo cathedral blasts

Terrorists managed to slip past the security measures imposed by the country's armed forces at the Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu, a top government official admitted on Monday.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año made the remark a day after two bombs exploded one after the other at the biggest Catholic church in Sulu, killing at least 20 and wounding 98 others.

"Hindi pa natin nabubuo yung buong picture. Ang masasabi lang natin nakalusot yung dalawang bomba sa security protocol natin," Año said.

Año, a former chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said security measures had been imposed at the cathedral because it had been under threat for some time.

"Because of the threat since last year, nagkaroon na tayon ng nagbabantay diya sa gate ng cathedral," Año said.

Five of those killed were the soldiers tasked to provide security at the church.

Following the twin explosions at the church, Jolo has been put under lockdown with beefed up security inspections among those who enter and exit the town.

Increased military visibility in the area was also observed.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said shrapnel of the bombs reached as far as 500 feet from where they exploded.

The explosives, he said, weighed at least two kilograms.

"Ang ginamit nila ay parang GI (galvanized iron) sheet na parang pinanggagawa ng stainless jeep. It's probably as big as a container, canister ng mga gatas, two kilos, something like that," Albayalde said. —NB, GMA News