Among the victims of the two explosions that rocked Jolo yesterday were children, according to Joint Task Force Sulu commander Brigadier General William Gonzales, on Tuesday.
“Doon sa unang explosion, mayroong ano, narecover doon na patay at ‘yung iba rito bata,” Gonzales said in a radio interview.
(We recovered casualties in the site of the first explosion and some of them were children.)
“‘Yung nakita ko sa unang explosion at saka ‘yung nakita na ano, merong isa, ‘yung talagang malapit doon sa may ano… sa pinangyarihan ng explosion,” Gonzales added.
(What I saw in the first explosion and then what I saw, there is one, the one that is close at the scene of the blast.)
Authorities said fifteen people – seven soldiers, six civilians, one police officer, and the female “suicide bomber” died in the two explosions in Jolo.
The twin blasts also injured over 70 people, according to the military.
Bomb used in Jolo explosions not yet determined
Gonzales said they have yet to determine what type of explosive device was used in the bombing.
“Hanggang ngayon, nandoon pa ‘yung ating mga EOD, ‘yung eksperto natin sa bomba, inaalam pa kung anong klaseng bomba ang ginamit dito sa bombing na it.” Gonzales said.
(Until now, our EODs, our bomb experts, are still there. They are still determining what kind of bomb was used here in this bombing.)
The official said those wounded were rushed to different hospitals for medical treatment.
“‘Yung mga sugatan nasa hospital pa, ginagamot pa, mayroong mga nandito sa hospital ng Sulu, sa military nandito rin sa Camp Navarro Hospital, sa Camp Bautista Hospital,” Gonzales said.
(The wounded are still in the hospital, still being treated, there are those here at the Sulu hospital, the military is also here at Camp Navarro Hospital, at Camp Bautista Hospital.)
He added those with serious injuries were brought to hospitals in Zamboanga City.
According to Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), the suspect behind the Jolo twin blasts was the same person the Army intelligence officers in Jolo is pursuing before several Jolo cops killed them on June 29.