PHILIPPINES – At least 20 people killed and further 75 injured as a twin blasts rocked the Southern Philippines town of Jolo, according to authorities.
A motorcycle loaded with Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) went off near a military truck at the area, causing chaos among the citizens and military personnel.
Soon after, a second explosion was carried by an alleged female suicide bomber, as authorities cordoned off the blast scene.
“A female suicide bomber detonated herself as a soldier stopped her from entering the cordoned area,” Lieutenant Colonel Ronaldo Mateo, an army spokesman told Manila radio station DZMM.
Jolo is a municipality and capital of the province of Sulu, which is known as the stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf Group, an armed group allied with ISIL.
According to authorities, investigation is underway to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice.
No group or individual has immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks.
