DAVAO CITY — Government authorities suspect that foreign terrorists were involved in a bomb attack in Marawi City on Sunday morning, December 3.
Although investigators are still collecting pieces of evidence and conducting post-blast investigations to piece together clues from the crime scene.
After the National Security Council meeting on Sunday, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said that based on initial findings, there were strong indications of a foreign hand in the incident.
“(There is) indication of foreign elements here we are looking into,” Teodoro said.
Teodoro however refused to mention specifics, citing the ongoing investigation.
RETALIATORY
Earlier today, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner noted certain similarities between the Marawi blast and the Jolo cathedral bombing in 2019.
Brawner said, is looking into the possibility that that the MSU-Marawi bombing could be a retaliatory tactic by the enemies of the government due to the recent victories of the AFP against terrorist groups in Mindanao.
“So tinitingnan po namin ‘yung anggulo na ito dahil sa mga sunod-sunod na operation(s) natin against the terrorist groups in the whole of Western Mindanao, dito sa Maguindanao, sa Lanao and dito sa Basilan, maaring retaliatory attack ‘yung nangyari kaninang umaga, Brawner Jr. said in a press conference held at the Office of Civil Defense headquarters in Quezon City.
Brawner said during the past three days, continued operations were conducted by the Western Mindanao Command that led to the neutralization of terrorists.
In Barangay Mother Tuayan, Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao Del Sur on Friday, 11 members of the terrorist group Daulah Islamiya (DI), including their leader Abdullah Sapal alias “Brook Sapal,” were killed.
The following day, government troops also killed Abu Sayyaf Group leader Sawadjaan (alias “Mundi”) who was tagged in the Jolo Cathedral bombing in 2019.
“If you recall, Sawadjaan was the mastermind of the Jolo bombings and other terrorist activities in Jolo and also in [other] area(s) of [the] Western Mindanao Command,” the AFP chief said.
Another operation was conducted Sunday in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur, which led to the death of DI-Maute sub-leader Jalandoni/Alandoni Macadaya Luscaadato (alias “Lando”) and the arrest of a certain Saadia Dato Angni, reportedly the aunt of the slain terrorist.
Teodoro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the AFP to closely collaborate with local law enforcement agencies.
He also expressed sympathies to the families of the victims.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Rest assured that units on the ground have already heightened their security measures in and around Marawi City to prevent any further harm to the community,” he added.
Teodoro likewise appealed to the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities.
“We will not be swayed by acts of terror, and together, we will prevail over those who seek to destroy our peace,” he added.
Teodoro refused to elaborate on a possible “foreign element” in the attack.
“We are not at liberty to disclose, but there is (a) strong indication of a foreign element,” he said, adding that they are leaving the investigation to the proper authorities.
