ARMM to provide financial aid to Jolo blast victims

SUMISIP, Basilan--The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government will provide financial assistance to victims of the church attack in Jolo, Sulu.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman on Monday said the funds will be drawn from the regional government’s Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (ARMM HEART).

ARMM HEART is an emergency response and coordinated action by all regional line agencies to limit the impact of disasters in the region.

Over 20 people, including seven soldiers, were killed while more than 100 others were wounded in twin explosions at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Barangay Walled City.

The wounded consisted of 14 soldiers, two Coast Guard personnel, and the rest are churchgoers. One of the casualties was also a member of the Coast Guard.

The first IED exploded around 8:15 a.m. Sunday inside the church while the second a minute later at the parking area of the cathedral’s compound.

Hataman said they are "monitoring the whereabouts of the wounded victims. We were informed most of them were taken to Camp Navarro."

Meanwhile, he called on the military and police authorities not to be complacent in implementing security measures.

“We should not be lax in the maintenance of security measures since these people, the lawless elements are just waiting for the opportune time to strike,” he said. (PNA)