Philippines: at least 10 dead in a double attack in Jolo

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

At least ten people were killed and dozens more were injured in a double attack on Monday on Jolo Island, the stronghold of the jihadist organization Abu Sayyaf, in the southern Philippines.

Publicity

Five soldiers and four civilians were killed in an explosion near a supermarket in the town of Jolo of a bomb hanging from a motorcycle, General Corleto Vinluan told reporters.

Sixteen soldiers were also injured in this explosion that occurred in the middle of the day. About 20 civilians were also injured, Lt. Col. Ronaldo Mateo said, citing the city's mayor.

A suicide bomber subsequently activated her explosive belt on the same street as police struggled to evacuate the area. The explosion left one dead and injured six police officers, according to General Corleto Vinluan.

The predominantly Muslim island of Jolo is the stronghold of the Islamist group Abu Sayyaf , considered a terrorist organization by Washington, which has split into several factions, some of which have pledged allegiance to ISIS. Abou Sayyaf specializes in villainous kidnappings.

Newsletter Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

• Philippines
• Terrorism