Islamic State claims responsibility; AFP tags Abu Sayyaf

CAIRO - Islamic State claimed responsibility for twin bombings that killed at least 20 people during a Catholic Church service in Jolo, Sulu in southern Philippines, the militant group's news agency Amaq said on Sunday.

The Philippine military, however, points to the Abu Sayyaf, a small band of Islamic extremists notorious for conducting kidnapping and bombing operations.

"Ang ating early suspicion ay mga miyembro ng Abu Sayyaf base na rin po sa ibang impormasyon na nakalam natin partikular ang CCTV footage," said Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo, spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in an interview on Unang Balita on Monday.

Arevalo said pursuit operations are ongoing to arrest the suspects.

"Mayroon tayong ginagawang pursuit operations at sa ngayon ay atin pong tinutugis at hindi po natin tatantanan ang mga hinihinalang miyembro na 'yan ng Abu Sayyaf na siya pong pangunahin nating itinuturing na suspects," he said.

Arevelo added they are not discounting the possibility that other groups may have had a hand in the attack.

"Be that as it may, we are not discounting any other possibility na meron pang iba na maging suspek dito sa naging pagsabog na ito," he said.

The attack, which occurred days after the plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and despite the implementation of martial law in the entire Mindanao, wounded 81 people and was one of the deadliest in recent years in a region.

Malacañang, meanwhile, vowed to destroy those behind the two bombings — the first inside the cathedral and was followed by a second blast outside, which was detonated as security forces raced to the scene.

"The enemies of the state have boldly challenged the capability of the government to secure the safety of the citizenry in that region," said presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a statement condemning the incident

"The armed forces of the Philippines will rise to the challenge and crush these godless criminals."  — Reuters with GMA News/KBK