Jolo Bombers Not Proven Indonesian Citizens

Jakarta, MINA – The perpetrator of bombing at a church on Jolo Island, Philippines, which was alleged by the Minister of Home Affairs of the Philippines, Eduardo Ano is an Indonesian citizen, but it cannot be proven by forensic DNA (Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid).

“They (the Philippine authorities) stated that there were a man and woman approaching (to church) before the incident. But until now, the DNA has not been proven forensically that these two people are Indonesian citizens, “explained the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Arrmanatha Nasir, told reporters in Jakarta on Friday.

According to Nasir, Indonesia National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) and the National Police have been in Jolo to assist the investigation process.

Also Read: Siti Aisyah to Be Charged over Kim Jong-Nam's Murder

“From the results of identification, they carried out on the 20 bodies in the church whose DNA was confirmed as a victim,” Arrmanatha said.

He stressed, throughout the ongoing investigation process, it could not be concluded that the perpetrators of the bombings which resulted in 22 deaths and 100 people injured were Indonesian citizens.

Meanwhile, the results of the deepening conducted by the Indonesian Embassy in Manila and the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao, the Philippine intelligence (NICA) themselves did not yet know the basis of information that Minister Ano had made about the involvement of Indonesian citizens in the incident.

Also Read: Two Indonesian Citizens Found Dead in Diyarbakir, Turkiye

Arrmanatha emphasized that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would continue to assist and oversee the investigation process related to this case. (TL/Sj/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)