Military checking if suicide bomber in Jolo twin blasts was wife of Norman Lasuca

Authorities are checking if the suicide bomber in the Jolo, Sulu blasts on Monday was the wife of Norman Lasuca, the first Filipino suicide bomber involved in the explosion incident in a military camp in Indanan town.

Philippine Army chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana told GMA News Online that the military has been verifying reports if Lasuca's wife is an Indonesian national.

"Actually kasalukuyan nating kino-confirm kasi may mga report before na 'yung asawa ni Norman Lasuca ay Indonesian national. Ngayon kaya nga winiwithhold namin 'yung mga pangalan. Vinavalidate nating mabuti," Sobejana said in a phone interview.

Sobejana said the suicide bomber killed was one of the two bombers being tracked by four intellifence officers slain during a shooting incident last June.

The other suicide bomber was possibly the wife of Abu Talha, an ISIS liaison to the Abu Sayyaf who was killed during a gunfight with troops in Patikul last year, according to Sobejana.

The military said a total of 15 individuals, including seven soldiers, one police officer, six civilians, and the female suicide bomber who triggered the second explosion were killed in the blasts.

Over 70 individuals were injured in the incidents, the military added.

Joint Task Force Sulu commander Brigadier General William Gonzales said some of the victims of the twin blasts in Jolo, Sulu on Monday were children. — RSJ, GMA News

At least 15 individuals were killed in the incident while over 70 others were wounded.