Conflict continues
Scores wounded in bombing involving one suicide attack
Soldiers carrying an injured comrade at the site of an explosion in Jolo, Sulu province. Bombs exploded in the southern Philippine town, killing several soldiers and wounding other military personnel and civilians despite extra tight security due to threats from Abu Sayyaf militants. Story on Page 16.
AT least 14 people were killed and 75 wounded – including members of the security forces and civilians – in twin bombings involving a suicide attacker on a southern Philippine island that is a stronghold of militants, officials said.
The apparently coordinated attacks happened in Jolo in Muslimmajority Sulu, where government-backed security forces have long been fighting the Abu Sayyaf group.
Seven soldiers, a police officer, and six civilians were killed in the two bombings, the first at around midday when an improvised explosive device attached to a motorcycle parked outside a supermarket blew up, Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan said.
That was followed by a second blast a short time later in the same street when a suicide attacker blew herself up as security forces cordoned off the area, Vinluan said.
A soldier had been trying to apprehend the bomber when she detonated her explosives, he added.
A total of 48 civilians were also wounded along with 21 soldiers and six police.
A soldier saw a person leave the motorbike outside the grocery store “where there were a lot of people” including members of the military. It immediately detonated, Lieutenant Colonel Ronaldo Mateo said.
“Our soldiers are conducting security operations. That was the time that the improvised explosive device detonated,” he said.
Abu Sayyaf was “most probably” behind the double bombing, Mateo said.
Listed by the United States as a terrorist organisation, Abu Sayyaf is a loose network of militants blamed for the Philippines’ worst terror attacks as well as kidnappings of foreign tourists and Christian missionaries.
Yesterday’s attacks come after the arrest earlier this month of an Abu Sayyaf leader on the southern island of Mindanao.
Security forces had been on alert for possible reprisal attacks after detaining Abduljihad Susukan, who is accused of kidnapping and beheading several foreigners.
He has been charged with 23 murders, five kidnappings and six attempted murders, police have said.