Palace: Gov’t verifying reports of guns from PH in Jakarta bombings

By: Yuji Vincent Gonzales - 8 years ago

Malacañang on Tuesday said the Philippine government was verifying reports that suspects of the bombings in Jakarta, Indonesia used guns that came from the Philippines.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said they are still awaiting information from the government’s security forces and its counterparts to confirm the speculations on the firearms’ origin.

READ: Indonesian police arrest 12 after Jakarta attack

“Hinihintay pa natin ‘yung impormasyon galing sa ating security cluster at mga security forces. Meron namang regular na palitan ng impormasyon ang mga bansa ng ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), lalo’t lalo na sa pagitan ng Pilipinas, Indonesia, (at) Malaysia,” Coloma said in a press briefing.

“Masinsin ang pakikipag-ugnayan ng ating mga security forces sa mga counterparts hinggil diyan. Kaya’t mas mainam na hintayin muna natin kung mayroon talagang beripikasyon ‘yan para hindi tayo gumagawa ng purong espekulasyon lamang,” he added.

(We are still awaiting information from our security cluster and security forces. There is regular exchange of information among ASEAN countries, especially among the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Coordination with our security forces and our counterparts regarding the matter is stringent. This is why it would be best if we wait first whether that would be verified so that we won’t resort to mere speculation.)

READ: WATCH: Surveillance video captures Jakarta bombing

Indonesia police spokesperson Anton Charliyan was quoted as saying by Wall Street Journal that nine “well-built” firearms seized from the Jakarta bombers came from the Philippines. Charliyan reportedly said the information came from 12 men arrested after the attacks.

At least eight people were dead and 12 were arrested following the multiple attacks in the Indonesian capital perpetrated by gun-carrying attackers linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), including suicide bombers who exploded themselves inside a coffee shop. CDG