China News Service, August 24. According to Reuters, two explosions occurred in Sulu Province in the southern Philippines on the 24th. At least 15 people have been killed and 75 people have been injured, including soldiers and civilians. The two bombings are suspected to have been carried out by the country’s extremist group Abu Sayyaf.
According to reports, the dead included 8 members of the security forces, 6 civilians and 1 suicide attacker. Another 27 security personnel and 48 civilians were injured.
At around 11:53 am local time on the 24th, a motorcycle equipped with an improvised explosive device exploded in Jolo City, Sulu Province. Just as the authorities dealt with the first explosion, around 1 pm local time, there was a second explosion in the city.
Philippine Presidential spokesman Harry Rock said, "The authorities are now investigating, including identifying the individuals or groups behind these attacks." As of now, no organization has claimed responsibility for the bombing.
The Philippine News Agency previously reported that there were reports that the bombing occurred when the Philippine military and police continued to pursue the armed forces of the country's extremist organization Abu Sayyaf.
On January 27, 2019, a series of explosions occurred in a Catholic church in Jolo City, killing more than 20 people and injuring hundreds of others. The Philippine military subsequently determined that the serial bombings were carried out by the country's extremist organization Abu Sayyaf.
The Abu Sayyaf armed forces were established in the early 1990s, mainly operating in Sulu Province and other places, and have participated in a series of terrorist attacks and kidnappings. According to statistics from the Philippine military, there are currently 300 to 400 people in the armed forces.