Malacañang condemned the attack as “an act of terrorism and murder” and vowed no mercy for the perpetrators. “We will pursue to the ends of the earth the ruthless perpetrators behind this dastardly crime until every killer is brought to justice and put behind bars. Dinampo, a victim of Abu Sayyaf kidnapping in 2008, said military intelligence intercepted plans five months ago for an Abu Sayyaf attack in downtown Jolo. “We will use the full force of the law to bring to justice the perpetrators behind this incident,” Lorenzana said. That explosion was attributed to the Abu Sayyaf faction led by the bandit Furuji Indama, and the driver of the bomb-rigged van was reported to be a Moroccan.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 27, 2019 23:15 UTC