Signature of hate Debris litter inside and outside a Catholic Church where two bombs exploded in Jolo, Sulu. At least 20 people were killed in the incident just days after the overwhelming vote for the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Security officials vow the immediate arrests of the culprits. AFP

Two bombs exploded outside a Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, Sulu yesterday, killing 20 individuals, which was an incident that security experts said might have been triggered by discontent after the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in a plebiscite.

By their act of terrorism and murder of soldiers and civilians, the enemies of the state have boldly challenged the capability of the government

The fatalities included 15 civilians and five troops. Among the wounded were 14 troops, two policemen and 65 civilians. Police say 81 people were wounded in the blast that happened during a regular Sunday Mass.

Security officials said the first bomb went off in or near the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel while a Mass was being held, followed by a second blast outside the compound as government forces responded to the attack.

This handout photo released by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Office (PIO) Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCON) taken on January 27, 2019, shows debris inside a Catholic Church where two bombs exploded in Jolo, Sulu province on the southern island of Mindanao. – At least 17 people were killed as two bombs hit a church on a southern Philippine island that is a stronghold of Islamist militants, the military said, just days after a regional vote for a new Muslim autonomous region. The first blast occurred inside the Catholic church on war-torn Jolo on Sunday morning as mass was being celebrated, and was followed by a second explosion in the parking lot as troops responded, regional military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana told AFP. (Photo by HANDOUT / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO – ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES, WESTERN MINDANAO COMMAND” – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS Jolo Island has long been troubled by the presence of Abu Sayyaf militants, who are blacklisted by the United States and the Philippines as a terrorist organization because of bombings, kidnappings and beheadings.

The Palace called it a terror act and vowed the government will not let up until those responsible are arrested.

“By their act of terrorism and murder of soldiers and civilians, the enemies of the State have boldly challenged the capability of the government to secure the safety of the citizenry in that region. The Armed Forces of the Philippines will rise to the challenge and crush these godless criminals,” Panelo said.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo. “We will pursue to the ends of the earth the ruthless perpetrators behind this dastardly crime until every killer is brought to justice and put behind bars. The law will give them no mercy,” he added.

Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said the approval of the BOL and the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARRM) are not guarantees that disunity and conflict in Mindanao will end.

“Knowing the problem of the area, knowing the dynamics of the problem of Islam around the world and even in Mindanao, I have my own pessimism that the solution might not be enough,” Enrile said during the “Balitaan sa Maynila” forum.

“We saw in the plebiscite, those in Sulu did not join, the same with those in Isabela and Basilan. Cotabato won by a slim margin. What does that show?” Enrile said

“There is an endemic latent disunity in the area and that may heighten because there are other forces that may impinge on the peace and order of Mindanao,” he added.

He said the “other forces” he referred to are those who wanted to take over Mindanao which would result in the dismembering of the country.

“I will always assume that in any society there are always unhappy people that can create a problem for any sitting government,” Enrile said.

“The mere fact that the law was passed by Congress does not solve the problem. It has to be tested on the ground whether it will work or not. And I hope that it will work although I have my reservations,” he added.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar said there are elements who are out to derail the BOL.

“These groups have no respect for religion, the government and the outcome of the plebiscite that approved the Bangsamoro Organic Law and I believe they were dismayed by the overwhelming victory of the BOL,” he said.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said the explosion came after the success of the plebiscite for the BOL.

“While the BOL lost narrowly in Sulu, it won 1:7 in the whole region, with Cotabato City even voting for inclusion in Bangsamoro ARMM,” Esperon said.

“We have yet to establish if the two explosions are related to the all-important BOL. The BOL ends the secessionist narrative. The BOL signifies the end of war for secession. It stands for peace in Mindanao,” he expressed. “The perpetrators are mass murderers. They are extremist criminals. We will not allow them to spoil the preference of the people for peace.”

Trouble brews Policemen and soldiers keep watch as body bags (in white), containing the remains of blast victims, are arranged in a cordoned area outside a cathedral in Jolo, Sulu after a bomb killed 20 people. AFP He added security forces “have tightened up the systems to secure Sulu and the rest of BARMM.”

Social media posts from people who witnessed the tragedy showed debris and bodies lying on a busy street outside the church which has been hit by bombs in the past.

Troops in armored carriers sealed off the main road leading to the church while vehicles were transporting the dead and wounded to the hospital. Some casualties were evacuated by air to nearby Zamboanga City.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said authorities led by Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police chief Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares were ordered to identify the perpetrators.

The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) also denounced the heinous act, saying it could be the handiwork of certain groups out to derail the effort of President Rodrigo Duterte to bring lasting peace in Mindanao

“Some groups do not want peace in Mindanao,” MNLF spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla told the Daily Tribune.

He said MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari can help in going after these groups just like what he did in the past in going after Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu that resulted in the release of hostages.

Fontanilla urged the President to meet with Misuari so they can plan moves to deal with new terror threat right at the heart of Sulu.

He said under the 1996 peace accord, the MNLF is committed to help the government maintain peace.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said the government has control of the situation.

“Please do not lose heart. I’m sure the government will do everything to make things right,” Arroyo said.

She said the House of Representatives will figure out what they can do to address the incident.

“That’s really very tragic,” Arroyo added.

with Kathleen Mae Bulquerin, Kristina Maralit Perseus Echeminada,