(Eagle News) — All four individuals who were caught in closed-circuit television camera in the site of the Jolo, Sulu blasts that killed at least 21 people surfaced on Wednesday, Jan. 30, to clear their names.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Lt. Col. Gerry Besana said Alshaber J. Arbi, 18, and Gerry Isnajil, a teacher, first surfaced at the police provincial office around 10 a.m.
The teacher, who was wearing a bullcap in the CCTV footage and was carrying a red bag, and Arbi, who was wearing green jacket and a ponytail, said they were merely in the area when they heard the explosions.
Senior Supt. Pablo Labra II, Sulu provincial police chief, said the two brought with them their belongings seen in the CCTV video, including the green jacket and the red bag.
The two also denied knowing the man who was seen with them in the CCTV video.
Besana said Alsimar Mohammad Albi, 24, and Julius Abdulzam Albi, 17, for their part, surfaced around 3 p.m.
They said they were merely buying medicine from a pharmacy for Alsimar’s mother, who was confined in a hospital.
Authorities also clarified alias Kamah, who authorities said was a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group’s Ajang-ajang group, was not seen in the reviewed CCTV footage.
Police earlier said it was possible the Abu Sayyaf was behind the attack based on supposed sighting of alias Kamah in the blasts site.
The attack at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel took place after the Commission on Elections deemed ratified the Bangsamoro Organic Law that aims to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with a more autonomous Bangsamoro.
But the Philippine National Police has said the ratification was “definitely” not related to the attack, which was a “plain terrorist act.”
