A pair of explosions in the Philippines killed 14 people and wounded at least 75 more in attacks believed to be carried out by Abu Sayyaf, a group that is linked to the Islamic State.
The Monday blasts occurred mid-morning in the southern city of Jolo, located in the country’s Sulu province. The first blast came in the form of a bomb attached to a motorcycle, and the second was a suicide bombing believed to be carried out by a female militant, according to the Associated Press.
“It was a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, which exploded while our soldiers were on a market run,” said regional military commander Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan in describing how most of the casualties came from the motorcycle bomb, which was detonated in front of a grocery store near two parked military vehicles. Vinluan said that children were among the victims.
About an hour later, a second explosion rocked the area outside a Catholic cathedral. The female suicide bomber reportedly left a nearby shop, walked to where soldiers were guarding the church, and “suddenly blew herself up,” according to a military report on the attacks.
A third bomb was reportedly discovered in a public market, and the city of Jolo was placed on lockdown as snipers were deployed to the area to guard against additional attacks.
While no group has formally claimed responsibility, the Philippine military believes that Abu Sayyaf was behind the deadly bombings, specifically one of the organization’s commanders, Mundi Sawadjaan. The Islamist group has pledged loyalty to ISIS and has been behind other deadly attacks and acts of terrorism in the region.
