At least 9 dead in Jolo explosions

At least nine people were reportedly killed in two Jolo explosions on Monday, August 24, updated reports said.

Gordon earlier said four soldiers and two civilians were killed after a motorcycle loaded with an improvised explosive device exploded beside a military truck in Brgy. Walled City, Jolo at around 11:58 a.m.

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He added Red Cross has treated one female civilian with who was injured on her left foot.

An update from GMA News said five soldiers and four civilians were killed, while 16 other troops were injured in the Jolo explosions.

According to initial report sent to Camp Crame, the two explosions occurred at the vicinity of Paradise Food at Barangay Walled in Jolo and at the opposite road.

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Early reports said the first explosion happened around noon while a second explosion hit the back of the Jolo Municipal Office, damaging the nearby hardware and restaurant, Senator Richard Gordon says.

“As of now, number of victims were still unidentified while investigations are underway to possibly identify the suspect/s behind this incident,” the PNP says in a statement.

The Philippine Red Cross said it already coordinated with the local government unit and has prepared blood supply for possible use following the Jolo explosions.

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“All nearby Red Cross chapters are already activated and on full alert,” Gordon says on Twitter.

In 2019, a bomber died in another suicide bombing attack on a military detachment in Sulu.

Military officials said that the militant tried to enter a detachment in Indanan town, Sulu province. The bomber failed and died when the bomb the militant was carrying exploded. As of today, the incident was already the third suicide attack in Sulu this year.

Regional military chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said the bomber failed to enter the detachment due to tight security.

Lt. Col. Gerard Monfort, a military spokesman in Sulu said that the troops took cover and assumed combat positions when the bomber refused to move away from the outpost’s gate.  The bomb bulged in the militant’s gown.

The blast did not injure anyone, but it damaged the detachment’s gate. Fortunately, there were no civilians in the area when the incident happened.