81 others injured
(Eagle News)–The death toll in the twin blasts at a Sulu cathedral on Sunday, Jan. 27, has reached 20, the police said, with 81 injured.
Earlier, the police said the death toll in the explosions at the Mount Carmel cathedral in Jolo town had reached 27.
The Police Regional Office 9 clarified the fatalities were five military personnel and 15 civilians, while two police officers, 65 civilians and 14 military personnel were hurt.
The blasts–which came one after the other after 8 a.m.—took place after the Bangsamoro Organic Law was deemed ratified by the Commission on Elections after an overwhelming yes vote from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Sulu, which is also in the ARMM, had voted against the ratification of the BOL, which President Rodrigo Duterte has touted as the only solution to the problems in Mindanao.
The BOL aims to replace the ARMM with a more autonomous Bangsamoro.
The Palace condemned the blasts, with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana vowing the full force of the law would be implemented against the perpetrators.