08/26/2020 Philippines (International Christian Concern) – On August 24, the southern island of Philippines, Jolo, again saw another terrorist attack, after a cathedral was bombed early last year. So far, more than 15 have been killed (including one suicide bomber) while 75 have been wounded.

The two suicide attacks took place not far away from the bombed cathedral. First, a homemade bomb mounted on a motorcycle exploded; an hour later, a woman blew herself up near the area of the first blast, killing many soldiers who were keeping watch nearby.

While no one has claimed responsibility so far, the military suspects that both bombings are the work of Abu Sayyaf, the Islamic extremist group originally linked to al-Qaeda and then to the Islamic State. Sulu province, where Jolo is located, is known as a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

According to the country’s army commander, two female suicide bombers, one of them Indonesian, were behind Monday’s twin attacks, as government soldiers in the area were placed on “high alert.”

Al Jazeera reports that one of the attackers was probably the Indonesian wife of the first-ever Filipino suicide bomber, who blew himself up outside a military camp in Indanan town, also in Sulu, in 2019.

Terrorism has been on the rise in recent years, especially in southern Philippines. There were at least six suicide bombings in the past three years, which is alarming to the Philippine authorities. The Army suggested placing martial law over Jolo after Monday’s attacks, but many raised human rights concerns.

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].