Sulu police: Jolo bomb attack ‘could be’ work of suicide bombers

MANILA, Philippines — The bomb attack at a Catholic cathedral in Jolo, Sulu that killed at least 22 people could be the work of suicide bombers but authorities have yet to conclude that it was, the Sulu police said Friday.

Senior Superintendent Pablo Labra, Sulu provincial police director, said that pieces of evidence found at the blast site and accounts of witnesses indicate that the bomb attack at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral was done by suicide bombers.

Labra said that according to witnesses, a “suspicious” woman wearing a gray hoodie and concealing a backpack entered the church and sat on one of the pews during the mass before the explosion

“As far as ‘yung blast sa loob, masabi natin na ‘yun nga nag-indicate ito na there was this suicide bomber and ito ‘yung sinabi natin na babae. Kasi doon sa blast site, hindi siya kilala. She could be the one pero ayusin lang natin ‘yung pag-iimbestiga,” Labra said in a televised press briefing.

(As far as the blast inside the cathedral, we can say that there are indications that there was this suicide bomber and and it was that woman. Because she couldn't be identified at the blast site. She could be the one, but we need to investigate thoroughly)

But while he said that the blast “could be” a suicide bombing, Labra noted that authorities are still in the process of investigation.

“As of now, days went by, meron nang na-gather na pieces of evidence but doon pumunta sa direction na may suicide bombing,” he said.

(We have gathered pieces of evidence that tend to suggest a suicide bombing)

The Sulu police chief added: “As far as ‘yung incident, ‘yun meron tayong mga ebidensya at hand saying this could be. Kelangan nating ayusin ‘yung imbestigasyon para klaro.”

(As far as this incident, we have evidence saying this 'could be.' We need to investigate well so it will be clear.)

Labra also said two pairs of dismembered limbs, likely belonging to a man and a woman, remain unclaimed. These are undergoing forensic examination.

“Sa mga report na nakuha natin na ito ay kagagawan ng suicide bombers allegedly by the couple consistent sa mga nakita natin na body parts,” he said.

(The body parts are consistent with reports we received that this was done by suicide bombers, allegedly by a couple)

Labra’s statement supports the claim of President Rodrigo Duterte that a couple set off the explosions at the Jolo cathedral.

And unidentified woman reportedly detonated the bomb inside the church while her “husband” detonated the explosive outside, Duterte suggested Tuesday.

But the Sulu police chief’s remark runs in contrast with the claim of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Noel Detoyato, AFP public affairs chief, said a woman left a bag on one of the pews before the first explosion went off, ruling out the possibility of suicide bombing.

The PNP on Thursday cleared the four persons of interest who voluntarily submitted themselves to the police. — Gaea Katreena Cabico

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