Jolo cathedral bombing death toll rises to 23

The death toll in the twin explosions that rocked Jolo Cathedral in Sulu on January 27 has risen to 23, the Philippine National Police said on Monday.

PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Bernard Banac said the latest casualty was 60-year old Oscar Asares who succumb to serious injuries at Zamboanga City Medical Center on February 2, 5:00 p.m.

Asares was intially listed in the wounded persons tally.

As of February 4, the official number of casualties from the deadly blasts is now 118 --- 23 dead and 95 wounded, said Banac.

Of the 23 killed, 16 were civillians, six were soldiers and one was a member of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Of the 95 wounded, 77 were civillians, 14 were soldiers, 2 were policemen and 2 were members of the Philippine Coast Guard

PNP said there are still 12 wounded victims currently admitted in two hospitals in Sulu, 22 were already discharged, 37 were transferred from Sulu to Zamboanga City while 24 were treated by the outpatient department and were not admitted at the outset. —NB, GMA News