"They were involved in funding the suicide bombers in the Philippines, the escape facilitator Andi Baso, the suspected perpetrator of the 2017 Oikoumene Samarinda church bombing," said Wawan.
Wawan said the suspected terrorists had made various preparations to carry out acts of terror. Based on police investigations, it was found that they were planning to carry out a suicide bombing. He called on the public to remain calm.
Previously reported, the suicide bombing was allegedly carried out by two perpetrators using a motorbike that occurred during a Palm Sunday Mass at the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi Province.
Also read: Breaking News: Explosion Rocks Makassar Cathedral in Indonesia’s South Sulawesi
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD said the victims of this incident were two people who were suspected of being the perpetrators.
Head of the Public Relations Division of the National Police, Inspector General Argo Yuwono, said at least 20 people were injured, including the church officials who stopped the attackers from entering the cathedral.
Wilhelmus Tulak, a Catholic priest who was leading the Mass when the bomb exploded said security guards suspected two motorists who wanted to enter the church. One of them detonated the bomb and died near the gate after being confronted by guards. The wounded included four guards and several churchgoers.
"Several people were injured, especially one of our security officers who stopped the perpetrator. He suffered from a minor burn, but Praise God he is still conscious," said Wilhelmus.
(Writers: Achmad Nasrudin Yahya, Tsarina Maharani | Editor: Bayu Galih)
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