Duterte pins cathedral attack on Abu Sayyaf suicide bombers, vows revenge

suicide bombers
President Duterte visits Jolo today in the wake of Sunday’s double bomb attack on the city’s cathedral.

President Duterte has said a husband and wife team of suicide bombers were behind the twin bombing at Jolo Cathedral on Sunday.

His words today (Tuesday, January 29) come after Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, which left 21 dead and dozens injured. 

ADVERTISEMENT

The president has also vowed to crush the IS-affiliated terror group Abu Sayyaf, which is believed to be directly responsible for the attack. 

Speaking to reporters in Jolo today, the president said he had received the information about the attackers from the intelligence community.

Asked if he meant the attackers were suicide bombers, he replied: “Yes, blowing them up. One was a man, they were a couple.”

ADVERTISEMENT

He then described how the woman entered the church and blew herself up in the middle of the 8am Sunday Mass. Because she was female and wearing a large cross, the president said, she did not arouse any suspicions.

Meanwhile, her supposed husband waited outside the church and detonated his device when security personnel rushed to the site of the first bomb.

Previously, military spokesmen suggested that the bomb was detonated remotely. “Yes, that’s a possibility,” the president said. “But the eyewitnesses said it’s the other way around. They had companions, a support system, maybe.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Suicide bombers ‘maybe foreign’

He added that the suicide bombers may have been foreign jihadists. “They say that it’s Indonesian. Others say – from the looks of it, you can’t see anything, no part of the body. Because of the explosion.”

He also said he had “no doubt” that the attack was carried out by Abu Sayyaf.

“Yes, we are sure of that. No one else. Nobody but nobody can perpetrate that kind of terrorism. I have no doubt.” 

He then vowed to destroy the terror group. “I ordered you to destroy the organisation,” he said. “I’m ordering you now: pulpugin ninyo ang (crush) Abu Sayyaf by whatever means.” 

He also vowed action against Islamic State, saying: “This ISIS, you asked for it. I will really hurt you. I will use everything I have.”

He then called on residents of Sulu Island to help crack down on the terror in their midst. He said: “I know you don’t want this because when the violence happens, you get affected. When there is an Abu Sayyaf member living near you, drive them out or tell the authorities. If not, the bombs will fall on your head. It’s on you.”

He also floated a plan of concentrating all civilians in a single place where the government would provide for their needs, so the military would be free to bomb terrorist hideouts.

“I’ll take all the innocent people. You come here, I’ll feed them. I’ll make sacrifices. I’ll look for the money. Then crush their territory,” he said.

The president spent about three hours in Jolo, where he inspected the bomb site, visited the wake of blast victims, and spoke with injured civilians, soldiers and police.

Follow our Facebook page for daily news updates