VN strongly condemns twin bombings in Southern Philippines

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang

Hang extended deep condolences to the Government and families of the victims, expressing her belief that the perpetrators will be strictly punished.

Local reports showed that the first explosion happened along Serrantes Street, Barangay Walled City in Jolo at about 11:53 a.m. on Monday after an unidentified person parked a bomb-laden motorcycle beside an M35 truck of the Army’s 11th Infantry Division.

Joint Task Force Sulu spokesperson, Capt. Rex Payot, said the soldiers were conducting a security operation to support local government officials who were on a coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response effort when the first explosion occurred.

The second explosion happened just 100 meters away from the site of the first explosion at about 1:06 p.m., just as authorities were conducting a post-blast assessment.

The twin explosions killed 14 people and wounded 72 others, reported the Philippines News Agency./.

By Quang Minh