Sulu, South Philippines, MINA – At least 20 people were killed and 111 individuals injured after two bombs exploded in a church in Sulu Province, south of the Philippines, local media said on Sunday.
“We strongly condemn the bombings that took place at Jolo Cathedral in Barangay Walled City, Sulu, this morning, just before holy mass which killed and injured the Army and civilians,” Philippine Secretary of Defense (DND) Delfin Lorenzana told reporters, as quoted from Anadolu Agency (AA).
According to the Philippines News Agency (PNA), after this this deadly blast, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it would take “extra precautionary measures” to secure the second Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite on February 6.
On February 6, a second plebiscite will be held in Lanao del Norte province, except Iligan City; the municipalities of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pikit, and Pigkawayan in North Cotabato province; and 28 barangays will be included in the area.
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“Because of that it will be relatively narrower, the concentration of troops will be more focused. Some AFP personnel have already sent it so that it will be easier to secure the plebiscite on February 6,” said Detoyato.
The Philippine military has prepared around 10,000 soldiers and supported units to help secure the plebiscite along with the Philippine National Police.
Previously, Hermogenes Esperon Jr. National Security Advisor said the government was still trying to determine whether the explosion on Jolo, Sulu was linked to BOL which was recently ratified.
At the first plebiscite on January 21, the majority of people in Muslim Mindanao voted in favor of a law that would create a new Bangsamoro region with greater autonomy, but Jolo and the entire Sulu province voted against the proposed measures. (T/Sj/P2)
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Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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