An explosion rocked Jolo, Sulu Saturday night at 6:55 p.m. outside Cleopatra store, a commercial area on Serantes Street, about two hours after the police provincial director of Sulu pulled out police personnel conducting checkpoints and patrol operations in the area.
Director Felicisimo Khu of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO) in Western Mindanao said an improvised bomb made of ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) was placed atop a generator located outside the store.
Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) spokesman said the blast left two people dead and 14 others wounded.
The fatalities were identified as Deonila Undug Asiri, 43, teacher, of Buotan, Indanan, Sulu; and Sindao Mangilala 47, vendor, of Takut-Takut, Jolo, Sulu.
Senior Supt. Antonio Freyra, Sulu Police Provincial Office (PPO) director said it is possible that the explosion was carried out by members of the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in retaliation for last week’s killing by the authorities of one of its members.
