The Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines yesterday confirmed that one of two suicide bombers who perpetrated the attack at the tactical command post of the 1st Brigade Combat Team in Sulu last June 28 is a Filipino.
“After thorough investigation and forensic examination, the Regional Crime Laboratory Office of the Police Regional Office 11 has revealed that one of the suspected suicide bombers in 1st Brigade Combat Team temporary headquarters in Indanan, Sulu last June 28 can be concluded as a Filipino,” PNP spokesperson Police Col. Bernard Banac and AFP spokesperson Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said.
The PNP Regional Crime Laboratory Office 11 said in a report that reference DNA standards were taken from Vilman Alam Lasuca and Alhussin Alam Lasuca, claimant mother and brother of one of the suspected bombers.
The DNA results examined by Police Maj. Florepes Pallado, RCLO 11 forensic DNA analyst, showed that there is 99.99 percentage probability match on the DNA samples taken from Vilman Lasuca and the alleged suicide bomber, who was identified as Norman Lasuca.
“Hence, it can be concluded that one of the alleged suicide bombers is the son of Vilman Alam Lasuca,” the RCLO 11 said in its laboratory report.
The identification of the second suspected bomber is still underway as the AFP and PNP continue to collect DNA samples from possible known family and relatives and to establish match on its identity.
Despite these findings, the AFP and PNP assured the public that they are exerting all efforts to defeat the threat of terrorism in Mindanao.
“The AFP and the PNP would like to allay the fears of our countrymen notwithstanding this development where we can confirm and is now confirming the incidence of the first suicide bombing in the Philippines perpetrated by Norman Lasuca,” Arevalo said.
“We wish to highlight the fact that the AFP has its keen focus on Sulu to defeat the Abu Sayyaf Group and put a stop to the terrorist activities and atrocities they commit against the people of Sulu, in Mindanao and the the country,” he added. (Martin Sadoongdong and PNA)
