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Suicide bombing is the new face of terrorism in Philippines —researcher


Jolo, Sulu bombings, August 2020

The twin bombings in Jolo, Sulu earlier this week showed that suicide bombing is the new face of terrorism in the Philippines, terrorism researcher Dr. Rommel Banlaoi said on Saturday.

This may take the form of family suicide terrorism, female suicide terrorism, and juvenile suicide terrorism, he said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

 

 

A comprehensive approach against terrorism is needed to combat its threat, said Banlaoi, chairman of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence, and Terrorism.

 

 

He added that suicide bombers undergo two years of training and are subjected to indoctrination.

The ISIS, he said, targets recruiting families for its bombing missions.

“May brainwashing activities na ginagawa para sa family suicide terrorism,” Banlaoi said.

"Sana po 'wag mangyari sa Pilipinas ang juvenile suicide terrorism," he added.

Fifteen people died during the twin blasts that occurred on Monday. The fatalities include seven soldiers, six civilians, one policeman, and the female suicide bomber.

At least 74 meanwhile were injured. 

The first explosion transpired at 11:55 a.m. in front of Paradise grocery store when an improvised explosive device, placed on a parked motorcycle, exploded. 

The military said security forces were conducting security patrols in the area when the explosions happened.

Revenge for the death of ISIS emir Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan was one of the angles being looked into by the military in the deadly blasts, Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) chief Major General Corleto Vinluan Jr. said on Wednesday. 

Hatib is the uncle of Mundi Sawadjaan, whom Philippine Army chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana tagged as the brains behind the suicide bombings in Sulu province.

The commander of Joint Task Force Sulu on Wednesday identified the suspects in the recent suicide bombing attacks in Jolo.

Brigadier General William Gonzales said one of the suspects was identified only as Nanah, believed to be the wife of Filipino suicide bomber Norman Lasuca, while the other was identified as Inda Nhay, allegedly the wife of Abu Talha, the Abu Sayyaf's liaison to ISIS who was killed during a firefight with troops.

The nationalities of these female suicide bombers have yet to be determined.

The military earlier said the suicide bombers involved in the attacks were the ones being tracked down by soldiers last June 29 before these soldiers were killed by policemen in a shooting incident — an incident that is currently the subject of investigation. —KG, GMA News

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