Sulu governor says 1st Jolo blast may not have been caused by motorcycle bomb

Sulu Governor Abdusakur Mahail Tan said on Tuesday he does not believe a motorcycle bomb caused the first blast in Jolo on Monday.

The said motorcycle was still standing upright after the blast, he said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

Tan said authorities have received a call from a citizen who claimed ownership of the motorcycle.

He said he also spoke with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana regarding the incident.

"Sabi naman ni Secretary Lorenzana, hindi naman puwede siguro na motor. Kung motor 'yun ay mawawala 'yung motor," he said.

"'Yung theory na motorsiklo, parang mahirap paniwalaan dahil nakatayo pa. Sabi ni Secretary Lorenzana, nakatayo pa nga 'yung motor eh. 'Pag diyan nilagay 'yun sa ganu'n kalakas na pagsabog, [magkakalasog-lasog], eh nakatayo pa eh," Tan added.

Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Mateo, the civil military relations officer of the 11th Infantry Division, meanwhile said the first blast happened when a motorcycle bomb exploded.

Mateo added that based on the account of a wounded troop, the driver of the motorcycle immediately left the place. Mateo said the identity of the driver had yet to be determined by authorities.

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

The incident happened in Barangay Walled City at 11:40 a.m.

The second blast was perpetrated by a suicide bomber who was killed in the incident.

The death toll from the bomb attacks in Jolo, Sulu remains at 15, while those injured rose to 78. —Jamil Santos/KG, GMA News