JTF Sulu: Jolo, Sulu twin blast caused by two suicide bombers
Photo Credit: Western Mindanao Command
Joint Task Force Sulu said that the first explosion in Jolo, Sulu yesterday may have also been carried out by a suicide bomber.
Authorities initially reported that the improvised explosive device that exploded was planted on a motorcycle. Bomb experts however found no evidence on the remnants of the vehicle to support this theory. The second explosion was however confirmed to have been caused by a suicide bomber.
JTF Sulu commander BGen. William Gonzales said the Army based its new theory on CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts and the results of the investigation of the Army Explosives and Ordnance Division.
Philippine Army chief LTGen. Cirilito Sobejana said the bomber in the first explosion may have been the wife of Abu Talha, an ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) liaison who was killed in Patikul last year.
He added that authorities are verifying reports that the bomber in the second explosion was the wife of Norman Lasuca. Lasuca was thought to be behind the 2019 Indanan, Sulu bombing and is considered the first Filipino suicide bomber in history.
Sobejana added that the two female suspects were being tracked by the four Army intelligence officers who were killed last June.
Gonzales however said it may be a challenge for them to verify the first bomber’s identity since the body disintegrated in the explosion.
Authorities initially reported that the improvised explosive device that exploded was planted on a motorcycle. Bomb experts however found no evidence on the remnants of the vehicle to support this theory. The second explosion was however confirmed to have been caused by a suicide bomber.
JTF Sulu commander BGen. William Gonzales said the Army based its new theory on CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts and the results of the investigation of the Army Explosives and Ordnance Division.
Philippine Army chief LTGen. Cirilito Sobejana said the bomber in the first explosion may have been the wife of Abu Talha, an ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) liaison who was killed in Patikul last year.
He added that authorities are verifying reports that the bomber in the second explosion was the wife of Norman Lasuca. Lasuca was thought to be behind the 2019 Indanan, Sulu bombing and is considered the first Filipino suicide bomber in history.
Sobejana added that the two female suspects were being tracked by the four Army intelligence officers who were killed last June.
Gonzales however said it may be a challenge for them to verify the first bomber’s identity since the body disintegrated in the explosion.
