Female suicide bomber triggered second blast in Jolo, says Army

The second explosion in the twin blasts that happened in Jolo, Sulu was triggered by a female suicide bomber, the military said on Monday.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, 11th Infantry Division spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Rolando Mateo said the second blast transpired at 1 p.m. in front of Plaza Rizal in Barangay Walled City.

"'Yung unang pagsubog is vehicle-borne improvised explosive device wherein nakakabit sa motorcycle then itinabi doon sa location ng mga sundalo natin pati mga civilians," Mateo said.

"'Yung pangalawa, it is believed to be a suicide bomber," Mateo added.

Mateo said a soldier, who approached the female suicide bomber, was killed in that second explosion.

Included in the number of those killed were four civilians, Mateo earlier said.

Mateo also said more than 30 individuals, composed of soldiers, police officers, and civilians, were also wounded in the incident.

According to Mateo, the deadly blasts were supposedly perpetrated by the local terror Abu Sayyaf group.

He said authorities are checking if the incident was a retaliatory attack following the arrest of leader Anduljihad "Idang" Susukan. -NB, GMA News