Islamic State terrorist group claimed the Jolo suicide bombings

The twin bombings that killed 15 people and wounded 75 on Monday in Jolo, Sulu province, were likely pulled off not by one but two suicide bombers believed to be supporters of the Islamic State (IS), according to authorities.

The IS has claimed responsibility for the explosions. Its supporters have been involved in several deadly bombings in Mindanao over the past few years.

SITE Intelligence, a US-based group that monitors online communications among Muslim militant groups, reported that the IS East Asia province had issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attacks.

SITE also cited IS supporters across the globe rejoicing over the casualties, a number of whom were soldiers and policemen, as result of the bombings.

Vice President Leni Robredo condemned the bomb attacks and called on the government to work toward bringing those accountable to justice.

“This attack is even more horrific in the context of the pandemic, when the imperative is to pull together to address the damage already wrought on our health, economy and way of life,” Robredo said in a statement.

The first bomb that went off before noon was first believed to have been planted in a motorcycle on Monday. Now, authorities said the bomb was not placed in the motorbike but exploded inside Paradise Food Shop, a restaurant and grocery store on Serrantes Street in Barangay Walled City.

An hour later, a second explosion came a hundred meters away at a branch of Development Bank of the Philippines, known locally as Goteckleng Building, when a soldier accosted a woman wearing a suspiciously swollen clothing.

Source: Inquirer