Año confirms Jolo explosion a case of suicide bombing

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said Tuesday that suicide bombers were indeed behind the twin explosion in Jolo that killed 23 people and injured more than a hundred others on Jan. 27.

“It is officially confirmed that it’s a case of suicide bombing,” Año said, adding that the conclusion was based on post blast and forensic investigation as well as the testimonies of survivors.

He added the identification of Indonesian husband and wife who were allegedly behind the suicide bombing in Jolo cathedral was ongoing but might take time.

Año said the Indonesian government has expressed willingness to assist in the identification of the bombers.

“Bombers are Indonesian couple. Identification is on the process but may take time. Indonesian government is willing to assist,” he said.

Año downplayed the effort of foreign terrorists to teach Filipino terrorists about suicide bombing saying it is not in the culture.

“By showing and doing these suicide bombings, they are expecting the Filipino Muslim terrorists would follow soon. They underestimate the influence of Filipino culture to our Muslim brothers,” he said.

At least 23 were killed in the twin explosions at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu on January 27.

Military and police officials initially pointed to Ajang ajang group, an Abu Sayyaf sub-group, as behind the bombings.  

It was President Rodrigo Duterte who first mentioned the involvement of suicide bombers in the incident. — MDM, GMA News