(Eagle News)–Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday, Jan. 27, condemned the twin blasts at a cathedral in Jolo town in Sulu, and vowed to use the “full force of the law to bring to justice the perpetrators behind this incident.”
In a statement, he said the military has transported the victims in the blasts to medical facilities, with some being flown to Zamboanga.
Lorenzana said he has also “directed our troops to heighten their alert level, secure all places of worships and public places at once, and initiate pro-active security measures to thwart hostile plans.”
While urging the public to remain calm, he urged them to also be “more vigilant and to cooperative with the authorities in reporting any security related concerns.”
“As we convey our sincerest condolences to the families and friends of the victims, and offer our sympathy to the peace-loving people of Sulu who are severely affected by this dastardly act,” he added.
At least 27 were killed and 77 were injured in the blasts that hit Our Lady of Mount Carmel cathedral while a Catholic mass was ongoing.
The explosions took place after the Commission on Elections deemed ratified the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which aims to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with a more autonomous Bangsamoro.
Sulu, a bailiwick of the Moro National Liberation Front’s Nur Misuari, had rejected the ratification of the BOL.