Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 29) — The military is now certain the Abu Sayyaf group is behind the deadly twin explosions that rocked a church in Jolo, Sulu on Sunday.
The Abu Sayyaf planned the attack which left at least 21 people dead, while its sub-group Ajang Ajang “carried (it) out,” Noel Detoyato, public information chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said in a press briefing Tuesday.
Based on the initial information, the pipe bombs that rocked the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel contained ammonium nitrate fuel oil – an explosive known to be used by the Abu Sayyaf group. The police and military named a certain “Alias Kamah,” brother of a slain Abu Sayyaf leader and member of the Ajang Ajang, as among the persons of interest as seen in the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the blasts.
Ten Army and Marine battalions, or about 5,000 soldiers, are now pursuing the bombing suspects, Sulu Military Commander Brigadier General Divino Rey Pabayo said.
President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated his order for troops to “destroy” the Abu Sayyaf group during a visit to the blasts site on Monday.
“I ordered you to destroy the organization. I’m ordering you now: pulpugin ninyo ang Abu Sayyaf by whatever means,” Duterte told government forces according to a transcript released by Malacañang on Tuesday.
The President has ordered to destroy the Abu Sayyaf group, notorious for kidnap-for-ransom activities, as early as 2016 after it beheaded foreign hostages. Parts of the Abu Sayyaf, including the Basilan faction led by slain leader Isnilon Hapilon, pledged allegiance to international terrorist network ISIS.
ISIS has claimed responsibility for the Sulu explosions, which left 21 people dead, including civilians and soldiers, and wounded more than a hundred others.
Malacañang assured the public that preventive measures are in place to thwart any possible attack in any part of the country. The police and military are on heightened alert nationwide.
CNN Philippines’ David Santos, Gerg Cahiles, and Eimor Santos contributed to this report.
