Twin blasts inside Philippine National Police Sulu camp injure 15

(Updated 11:38 a.m.) Two Friday night explosions inside a Philippine National Police camp in Barangay Asturias, Jolo, Sulu injured 15 civilians and police officers, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said in a statement.

 

Roxas added that several of the injured police officers were acting as first responders.

 

“Ang ating prioridad ngayon ay ang agarang malapatan ng lunas at matugunan ang mga pangangailangang medical ng mga nasugatan sa pagsabog na ito,” said Roxas.

 

He also promised that those responsible for the bombing would be prosecuted "to the fullest extent of law." 

 

Earlier, GMA News correspondent Peewee Bacuño reported that among the injured were nine police officers, four of whom were Special Action Force police commandos.

A report on "News TV Live" aired on Saturday, meanwhile, indicated the explosions occurred in front of a mosque inside the police compound.

In a text message to GMA News Online, Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Captain Rowena Muyuela said some police officers were responding to the first explosion when another one occurred, injuring some of them.

Wounded police personnel were immediately brought to the military hospital, and four others were evacuated to Zamboanga City for medical treatment, Muyuela added.

Moreover, she said Philippine Marines and Philippine Army personnel had responded to assist the police.

Asked for the possible motive for the attack, she said authorities are still investigating the incident. — Amanda Fernandez/DVM, GMA News