Wiranto: Still Many Possibilities of Suicide Bombers in Jolo

Jakarta, MINA – Indonesia is still carrying out identification related to the issue of Indonesian couples who committed suicide bombings in the Philippines.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs,  Wiranto said that Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Counter-terrorism Agency (BNPT) are currently conducting a search.

“Until now, it (identification) has not been completed, it has only been explored by the Philippine authorities themselves, the police, the parties concerned with the issue of terrorism,” Wiranto said in his office on Monday, as reported by Anadolu Agency (AA).

Minister Wiranto also said in that case, there were many possibilities that anyone could be involved, so the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and BNPT would send a team to coordinate with the Philippine Government.

“It should not be one of our own understandings on the basis of a unilateral explanation that directly sentenced that Indonesian citizens committed terrorism crimes in other countries,” he added.

On Friday, Philippine Interior Ministry said suicide bombers from Indonesia were behind a double explosion of churches in Jolo, Sulu, reports ABS CBN News.

The Philippine military also confirmed the suicide bombing was behind an attack that killed 22 people and at least 100 injured.

Interior Minister Eduardo Ano said the suicide bombers were married couples who had relations with Daesh.

“Those who are truly responsible are Indonesian suicide bombers. But Abu Sayyaf guided them, studied the target, conducted surveillance, supervision, and brought the couple to church, “Ano said.

Ano identified a man in the name of Kamah who acted to guide the Indonesian couple.

Ano said he had the source that the Sulu bombing was a “project” of the local Abu Sayyaf terror group.

Sulu Provincial Police Chief, Pablo Labra said several eyewitnesses pointed to a man and woman who they believed was responsible for the bombing.

The first bomb exploded inside the Cathedral Church of Marian of Our Lady of Mount Carmel during a mass at around 8:45 a.m. local time.

The second bomb exploded in the Cathedral parking lot as security forces tried to overcome the first bomb blast. (T/Sj/R04)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)