Military to look into whether Jolo blasts retaliation for ASG leader Susukan’s arrest

The military will look into whether Monday's deadly blasts in Jolo, Sulu blasts were retaliatory attacks by local terror group Abu Sayyaf for the arrest of its leader Anduljihad "Idang" Susukan.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, 11th Infantry Division spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Mateo said he firmly believes that the group was behind the attacks.

"Most probably ang terroristic act na ito is being perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf group," Mateo said.

"'Yan pa 'yung tinitingnan namin. We cannot still establish kung retaliatory ba nila 'yan," he added.

On August 13, the Davao City police served warrants of arrest for murder, five for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and six for frustrated murder against Susukan at National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari's residence in Maa, Davao City.

The local terrorist is now under the custody of the Philippine National Police in Camp Crame pending a court order on where he will be detained.

According to Armed Forces spokesman Major General Edgard Arevalo, the 11th Infantry Division and the Joint Task Force Sulu are on high alert following the two explosions which killed at least 12 individuals, including the suicide bomber in the second blast.

The first bomb, placed on a motorcycle, exploded at 11:55 a.m., while the second explosion was triggered by a female suicide bomber at 1 p.m.

Arevalo appealed to the public to stay calm but remain vigilant and monitor any suspicious individuals in the area. 

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa directed Police Regional Office - Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao chief Police Brigadier General Manuel Abu to conduct an immediate investigation. — BM, GMA News