Outraged about the twin blasts in Jolo, Sulu, President Duterte has ordered the military to implement more stringent safety measures to prevent a repeat of the incident amid lapses in security.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President wanted the troops to ensure the safety of the people after deploring attempts by groups to sow terror and derail peace efforts in the South.
Duterte is scheduled to visit Jolo Monday afternoon, a day after the explosions at a church left several people dead and wounded.
“He’s outraged,” Panelo said during a Palace press briefing when asked about the President’s reaction to the Jolo bombings.
“Of course, he was so angry for one, for another he is so disappointed that despite the movement to tread the path towards peace and development, there are still some forces in that region who sow terror and kill and murder people,” he said.
“He has issued directive to the Armed Forces of the Philippines to secure the safety of the citizenry and to attend to the injured and to provide succor to the families of the victims,” he said.
He added that the President directed the military “to undertake measures so that this incident will not happen again.”
Panelo said an investigation into the Jolo blasts was under way but he acknowledged the possible security
lapses in the area. (Genalyn Kabiling)
