Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said Monday there was a security lapse when authorities failed to install closed circuit television cameras inside and outside the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo.
Año said that the Indonesian couple behind the bombings in Jolo was not captured by the CCTV videos owned by private businesses near the cathedral that authorities secured.
Aside from the missing CCTVs, there were also no security personnel manning the cathedral’s gate and absence of checkpoints around the area near where the blasts occurred.
“Ang mga CCTV footage na nakuha natin ‘yung dalawang CCTV na naka-install sa paligid ng cathedral na pag-aari ng private businessmen. Medyo malayo sa cathedral. Hindi naman nahagip ung mga sinasabi nating suicide bomber kasi ang focus nong mga CCTV na ‘yun eh to protect the interest of the business company, hindi talaga siya directly nakatutok don sa pinto kung saan pumapasok ang churchgoers,’’ Año said.
Despite the security lapses, Año stood firm on his pronouncement that the Indonesian couple was connected with the global terrorist group ISIS which is also notorious for beheading hostages.
“Isang global network ang ISIS na nagpapadala ng foreign terrorists. Marami na tayong nahuli dyan with the help of Malaysia and Indonesia, pero sa laki ng border natin, mahihirapan tayong bantayan ‘yan.” (Chito Chavez)
