DNA test on Sulu suicide bombers out next month

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Results of the DNA tests on two suicide bombers, who attacked a tactical command post of the First Army Brigade Combat Team (1BCT) on June 28, are expected to be released next month. 

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command chief, said he checked with their counterparts in the US military, which is conducting the DNA tests, and was told it would take a month to get the results.

The suspects detonated their improvised bombs at the 1BCT headquarters in Sitio Tanjung, Barangay Kajatian, Indanan, leaving three soldiers and two civilians dead and 22 others wounded.

Sobejana said he requested the immediate release of the results of the DNA tests to determine if the suicide bombers were Filipinos or foreigners.

He said one of the suspects had been initially identified as Norman Lasuca, a Filipino, as claimed by his supposed family.

“Hindi pa rin tayo 100 percent sure kung siya ay Filipino o dayuhan,” Sobejana said, referring to Lasuca.

It will be the first case of suicide bombing perpetrated by a Filipino if proven that Lasuca was behind the attack.

The other bomber was believed to be a son of a Moroccan militant who was killed when he detonated an improvised explosive device planted in a van in Lamitan City, Basilan on July 31 last year. 

Sobejana said suicide bombings are an indication that Islamic State-inspired militants are weak.

“They are required to conduct bombings to terrorize the public and make them known not only here in our country, but also globally,” he said.

“The terror group wanted to let the people know they still exist and they wanted to get the support of international terrorists,” Sobejana added.