All-out war vs terror

Get the culprits An angered and disappointed President Rodrigo Duterte (left photo) ordered the immediate resolution of the cathedral bombing in Jolo as government troops comb the site of the attack. Officials bared six suspects linked to the Abu Sayyaf group were identified. AP Attack to be paid in kind

A livid President Rodrigo Duterte ordered troops to wage an all-out war against terror groups and to finish them off before his term ends following the death of 20 persons from an attack on a cathedral in Jolo, Sulu.

He expressed outrage over certain forces who still chose to sow terror

He promised to pay the terrorists back with equal force the way they slaughtered church goers.

“Putangina n’yo (son of a bitch), don’t think that you are the only ones who can cultivate evil. If you can do it, I can do it,” Mr. Duterte said.

The President issued the all-out war order the moment he landed in Sulu.

Six terror suspects undertook the attack on Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral that took the lives of 20 persons, with four having been identified, security officials told Mr. Duterte.

Police investigators and soldiers attend the scene after two bombs exploded outside a Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in southern Philippines, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Two bombs minutes apart tore through a Roman Catholic cathedral on a southern Philippine island where Muslim militants are active, killing at least 20 people and wounding more than 80 others during a Sunday Mass, officials said. (AP Photo/Nickee Butlangan) Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Mr. Duterte who was at the site of the incident was angered and disappointed over the attack that happened during a Sunday Mass.

The Chief Executive was joined by security officials, former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte in inspecting the bombing site.

He expressed outrage over “certain forces” who still chose to sow terror despite the government’s efforts to “tread the path towards peace and development.”

“He has issued a directive to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to secure the safety of the citizenry, and to attend to the injured and to provide succor to the families of the victims,” Panelo said.

One of the suspects was identified as a member of the Ajang-ajang group based on a closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage.

The AFP Western Mindanao Command said the suspect was seen before the bombing occurred.

The Islamic State group had claimed responsibility for the deadly attacks that hit the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Authorities are said to be looking into the involvement of the Abu Sayyaf and smaller renegade groups from Mindanao.

Panelo, however, reiterated the Palace will withhold any conclusion pending the outcome of the joint probe being conducted by the military and police.

The Department of National Defense (DND) also ordered a “total lockdown” in Jolo as part of the efforts to identify and track down the perpetrators of Sunday’s twin explosions.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana ordered the “total lockdown” in Jolo, the capital town of Sulu province.

“The SND (secretary of national defense) ordered a total lockdown here in Jolo, Sulu, that’s why there are not much people outside, shops are closed,” said Albayalde.

Albayalde explained that “total lockdown” means authorities will have to contain the area.

“We have roadblocks, checkpoints… We have enough troops both from the PNP and AFP. We have two battalions of the Special Action Force also here,” the chief PNP said.

Initial investigation by government Explosives and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) showed that the two improvised explosive devices (IED) went off with less than 15 seconds interval – one right inside the cathedral while the other was placed at a motorcycle parked in the church’s parking lot.

“The EOD suspects that it was electronically detonated… Most probably cell phone detonated,” said Albayalde.

The chief PNP, however, said that EOD teams have yet to identify what specific type of IED were used in the attack.

Albayalde said that identifying the type of bombs used could also lead investigators to the group behind the bombing.

“If and when we recover or reconstruct the IED used, then from there, most probably we can identify who was behind this… The composition and the substance used for the explosive… they usually have signatures,” said Albayalde.

Panelo said the President will wait for the results of the investigation.

“Of course, one Islamic State is claiming responsibility. I read it in one of the briefers that one terrorist group is claiming responsibility for that. But we have to await the investigation – who’s behind it and what group or individuals,” the official said.

He likewise cited possible security lapses in the area which gave an opening to terror groups to do the dastardly act.

“There may be some lapses in security. How were they able to put a motorcycle with a bomb despite there were soldiers securing the place? If you have security there and there are or is one or two bombs being placed inside, then there must be a lapse in security. There is no other reasonable conclusion,” Panelo said.

The spokesman also aired caution about directly pinning the blame on Nur Misuari’s Moro National Liberation Front, whose breakaway Moro Islamic Liberation Front have just been granted wider self-rule to the Muslim minority in the region following the plebiscite to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

Go hard vs enemies President Rodrigo Duterte plots the government’s next move as former aide Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go listens. The President is expected to announce tougher measures to contain terrorism. MALACÑANG PHOTO Sulu, known to be “Misuari country,” overwhelmingly voted against the BOL.

“We cannot enter into the realm of speculation. It would be unfair,” Panelo pointed out. “I know that Nur Misuari wants Federalism better than (the) BOL but he didn’t oppose it actively. In fact, he was non-committal with respect to the plebiscite,” he added.

Prior to the plebiscite, Mr. Duterte himself called Misuari a “true friend” and expressed optimism he and the Moro leader would be able to resume their peace negotiations at the soonest possible time.

Panelo, meanwhile, hit back at those criticizing martial law, which is currently in place in the whole of Mindanao.

“(They are) saying that despite martial law, there has been bombing and therefore martial law should be lifted. With more reasons, martial law should be in place,” Panelo said.

“(B)ecause if you can do that under a martial law regime then the more reason you should maintain it and be more strict in the implementation of security measures in that area,” he added.

In the meantime, rather than speculating, he said the President is more concerned with the people affected and how to help their respective families.

“We express our sincerest and heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims and we will do everything possible to give justice to those who have perished… All government agencies have been directed to attend to the families,” Panelo said.

He likewise thanked those countries, including Australia, Canada and United Kingdom, which expressed their support and condolences following the bombings.

“I’d like to acknowledge receipt of expressions of sympathies, condolences and support from many countries of the world in relation to the tragic bombings,” Panelo said.