Filtered By: Topstories
News

AFP rules out suicide bombing in Jolo attack


The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has ruled out suicide bombing as the method by which an explosive was detonated inside the Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu on Sunday.

Earlier reports indicated that the first of two explosive devices that killed 21 people was detonated inside the cathedral while a Mass was ongoing, and that the second one went off over a minute later in the parking lot.

Authorities had looked into the possibility that a suicide bomber had set off at least one of the explosions, as human body parts and blood were found in the cathedral near the front. 

On Tuesday, AFP public affairs chief Noel Detoyato said that at least two survivors recalled seeing a woman leave a bag on one of the pews just before the first explosion went off.

He said the investigation also found that the improvised explosive device (IED) that went off inside the cathedral was "remotely" detonated, and that this would already dispel reports of a suicide bombing.

"Parang on the fifth pew iniwan 'yung bag umalis 'yung babae then a few seconds after may sumabog, so 'yun ang method of deployment so hindi siya suicide bombing," Detoyato said.

"So ang method of deployment ng IED iniwan 'yung bag and then ...remotely, it was remotely detonated so that would dispel the reports na may suicide bombing," he added.

Detoyato also said that it was possible that the second IED that went off outside the building as people were trying to leave the premises was not mounted on a motorcycle as earlier believed.

Detoyato confirmed that the bombs used in both blasts were made of the same chemical components that could be sourced locally.

"It's an ammonium nitrate, which is locally available, all components locally available and ang locals kayang-kayang gumawa nu'n," said Detoyato.

The AFP had earlier dismissed Islamic State's claiming responsibility for the blasts, but said that they were looking at the Ajang-Ajang subgroup of the Abu Sayyaf as the possible perpetrators.

Authorities said they were also looking into six individuals caught on CCTV. — Margaret Claire Layug/BM, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT