Indonesian Foreign Minister: No Indonesians Involved in Jolo, Sulu Bombings

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that no Indonesian nationals were involved in the suicide bombings in the Philippine city of Jolo, which killed 14 people and injured 75 others on August 24.

“We have received information from the Philippine government that the prime suspects of the blasts were two local women,” state news agency Antara quoted Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi as saying.

“One of the women was married to the suicide bomber behind another bomb attack in Jolo in June 2019, while the other was married to a member of the Abu Sayyaf [terrorist organization].”

Also read: Indonesian Woman A Prime Suspect in Twin Suicide Bombings in Philippines 

The findings came two days after television station ABS-CBN’s reported that one of the suspects in the Jolo attack was the Indonesian wife of late Filipino militant Norman Lasuca, who died in an attack on the city of Indanan in 2019.

“As far as we know, no Indonesian nationals were killed or injured in the Jolo attack,” Retno added. “However, the Indonesian embassy in Manila and Consulate General in Davao are still monitoring the situation.”

She also conveyed her condolences to the victims of the bombing and to the Philippine people and government.

Also read: Islamist Militants Behind Bombing in the Philippines' Jolo Island

However, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said it is still too early to determine whether Indonesian nationals are involved in the blasts.

“Based on our experiences in previous [terrorist] attacks, it will take a while to determine the identities of the perpetrators,” he told Kompas.com.

“Doing so will include a number of procedures including DNA tests.”

The Jolo attack is the latest clash between Abu Sayyaf militants and the Philippine military in  southern Philippines.

(Writers: Sania Mashabi, Deti Mega Purnamasari | Editors: Bayu Galih, Kristian Erdianto)

Sources:

https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/08/27/12391671/menlu-tegaskan-tak-ada-wni-yang-jadi-korban-peristiwa-ledakan-filipina. 

https://www.antaranews.com/berita/1691386/filipina-sebut-pelaku-bom-bunuh-diri-jolo-warga-lokal 

https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/08/26/13041721/kemenlu-belum-ada-kejelasan-soal-wni-yang-diduga-pelaku-bom-bunuh-diri-di.