(Eagle News) — The Philippine National Police on Tuesday, Jan. 29, said the recent blasts in Sulu and North Cotabato were so far not related.
“It is still too early to say that the recovered items are connected to Jolo bombing incident considering the distance,” Senior Supt. Bernard Batac, PNP spokesperson, said in a message to reporters.
The two blasts in Sulu took place at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo town on Sunday, Jan. 27.
The explosion in North Cotabato that killed at least one person, a policeman, and injured several others took place in Magpet.
Although the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the blasts in Sulu, PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said one of the suspects caught on footage from a closed-circuit television camera in the area was a member of the Ajang Ajang, a faction of the Abu Sayyaf.
The police have said the blast in North Cotabato, apparently an ambush, was perpetrated by the New People’s Army.
“..Wala pong kinalaman yan diyan sa nangyari sa Jolo,” Albayalde said.
