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

The government considers the Jolo cathedral bombing which claimed 23 lives and injured 95 others as case closed after perpetrators have been identified, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said as he admitted some suspects are still at large.

“As far as the government is concerned, the Jolo bombing case is already solved.

We have already identified the perpetrators of the bombing and they are now under police custody. As to the other conspirators, an intensive manhunt is now under way and we will continue to pursue them until all those involved are brought to the bar of justice,” Año added.

“With this case solved, we are one step closer to giving justice for the death of the victims.

Congratulations for the speedy action of our police and military!” he added.

Citing intelligence reports, survivors’ statements and post-blast and forensic investigation, Año reiterated that an Indonesian couple was behind the blast.

He also stressed that authorities continue to determine the identities of the suspects.

Over the weekend, five suspects linked to the twin bomb attacks at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral surrendered to authorities.

Those who admitted having participated in the attack were identified by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde as Kammah Pae alias Kammah, from Abu Sayyaf Group-affiliated Ajang-Ajang; Albaji Kisae alias Awag, his sons Rajan Bakil alias Radjan and Kaisar Bakil alias Isal, and Salit Alih alias Papong.

“Our security forces, particularly the PNP with the help of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), are conducting an intensified operation to track down and arrest the 14 other accomplices who are involved in the bombing. The long arm of the law will catch up with them sooner than later,” Albayalde noted.

Año said charges for 23 counts of murder, 95 counts of frustrated murder and damage to property have been filed by state lawyers before the Jolo Regional Trial Court against the five suspects.

Other respondents are Sawadjaan, Usman Absarah, Barak Ingog, Makrim Abisi, Bapah Absara, one alias Ebing and several John and Jane Does.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government chief, however, said government law enforcers should not let their guard down, remain alert and intensify security measures in places with high volume of people.

He also urged the people to report to the police or their barangay any suspicious activity of groups or individuals in their communities.