(Eagle News) — The death toll in the twin blasts in Jolo, Sulu on Sunday, Jan. 27, has risen to 21.
The latest fatality in the explosions at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral was a senior high school student, authorities said.
The explosions injured at least 81 people as of Sunday, Jan. 27.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said one of the suspects who was captured in footage from a closed-circuit television camera in the blasts site was a member of a group affiliated with the Abu Sayyaf.
The Palace has denounced the attack, which 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.
Sulu had rejected ratification of the BOL.