DILG Sec. Eduardo M. Año (Facebook image)

February 6th, 12:04am February 5th, 10:46pm Elmer N. ManuelArticles

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday confirmed that suicide bombers were indeed behind the deadly explosions that rocked a cathedral in Jolo, Sulu two Sundays ago.

The twin blasts left 23 people dead and scores of people injured.

In a statement, Año said an Indonesian couple were the perpetrators following investigations and testimonies given by the survivors and witnesses.

“It is officially confirmed that it’s a case of suicide bombing,” he said. “The conclusion was based on post blast and forensic investigation, as well as the testimonies of survivors.”

The DILG chief, however, noted the identification of an Indonesian husband-and-wife team who were allegedly behind the suicide bombing in Jolo is ongoing. It might take time before a conclusion is reached, he said.

Año also said the Indonesian government expressed willingness to assist in identifying the couple.

“Bombers are Indonesian couple. Identification is on the process but may take time. Indonesian government is willing to assist,” said Año who also downplayed the effort by foreign terrorists to teach Filipino religious hardliners about suicide bombing. He said it is not a part of Filipino culture.

“By showing and doing these suicide bombings, they are expecting the Filipino Muslim terrorists would follow soon. They underestimate the influence of Filipino culture on our Muslim brothers,” Año said.

The Department of Justice (DoJ), meanwhile, disclosed that the multiple murder and frustrated murder complaints against five of the suspects in the deadly Jolo cathedral bombings last week have been submitted for resolution.

In a statement, DoJ Undersecretary Mark Perete disclosed that a prosecutor in Sulu terminated the inquest proceedings against the five men under police custody.

They are Mukammar L. Pae/Kammah L. Pae with alias Kammah; Albaji K. Gadjali with alias Apah Albaji/Awag; Radjan B. Gadjali with alias Rajan; Kaisar B. Gadjali with alias Isal, and Said Alih with alias Papong.

They will face complaints filed by the Sulu police in connection with the twin blasts at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral – multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder and damage to property and by procedure, a prosecutor has to find probable cause that the respondents committed the alleged crimes before charges could be filed in court for trial.

The five surrendered to authorities over the weekend, leaving at least seven identified suspects and other John and Jane Does at large.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is already considering the case as solved but not closed, its spokesman Senior Supt. Bernard Banac said Tuesday.

In a separate interview, Banac said the PNP now has in its custody five of the bombing suspects but noted that they could not yet close the case since 14 other suspects are still at large.

“The case has been solved but not closed. This means that the suspects are now in the custody of the police and appropriate charges have been filed against them,” Banac said. “Manhunt operations against the remaining suspects were ongoing.”