Blasts rock Jolo

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines  — Two improvised bombs exploded in the outskirts of Jolo and the military tightened security in the tense capital town at dawn yesterday.

Brig. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, Joint Task Force Comet commander, said no one was reported injured in the bombing that occurred in a dumpsite outside Jolo town at about 1:45 a.m. yesterday.

“We believe the explosion was aimed to create noise and tension for those who were attending the Simbang Gabi (dawn mass),” Guerrero said.

He added security had been tightened in Jolo to prevent the Abu Sayyaf from attacking urban areas.

He said the improvised bombs were hidden in two containers and abandoned at the dumpsite.

“The church and other worship areas are well guarded and maybe those who want to make trouble can’t come down to make noise,” Guerrero said.

Aside from the security in downtown Jolo, pursuit operations continue against the Abu Sayyaf, with soldiers shifting Christmas breaks to avoid a vacuum in its mission, he said.

Guerrero said the operations went on even before the beheading of school principal Gabriel Canizares last Nov. 14 in Patikul town.

The Abu Sayyaf beheaded Canizares after the family failed to pay ransom. His head was recovered, but his body has not been found.    – Roel Pareño