Lorenzana: We've been getting bomb threats in Jolo as early as August

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday said there have been threats of bombing attacks in Jolo, Sulu as early as August last year.

“There were reports that Catholic churches in Jolo, Basilan, and Zamboanga would be bombed as early as August 2018, with Jolo as most probable,” Lorenzana said.

“Since then, the Jolo Cathedral was guarded by soldiers 24 hours a day,” he added.

On Sunday morning, twin explosions occurred at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral while a Holy Mass was ongoing. It claimed at least 20 lives and injured over 90 others.

The Defense secretary admitted that there might have been lapses in the enforcement of security at the guarded worship place.

“We will never know how the bombers got in or near the church as the soldiers guarding the main door all died,” he said. “While we were briefed that all people going inside were searched, it is possible that there may be lapse in the procedure.”

In a separate interview on radio dzRH, Lorenzana said that the gruesome attack may be a diversionary tactic.

“Ang nakikita namin dyan ay medyo hirap sila dun sa... dahil nga nakukubkob sila, ‘yung mga kasamahan nila dun sa bundok, kabundukan ng Jolo, kaya sila nagkakaroon sila ng diversionary attack dyan sa syudad,” he said.

He went on to say that the Abu Sayyaf Group, suspected of having a hand in the attack, has a significant mass base or support from some locals in Jolo.

Lorenzana said that President Rodrigo Duterte plans to raise a bounty for those who can give information on the perpetrators of the bloody attack.

“Merong balak magbigay ng pabuya ang Presidente, sabi nya kahapon [Monday] magbibigay siya ng cash reward sa mga taong makakapagbigay ng impormasyon, kung papano mahuli o ma-neutralize itong mga taong ito,” he said, noting that the amount of which is yet to be determined. — Dona Magsino/MDM, GMA News