Death toll in Jolo Church bombings rises to 22
COTABATO CITY – The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) today said another victim of the
Jan. 28 twin bombings at the Jolo Cathedral has expired while at the Zamboanga
City hospital.
Colonel Gerry
Besana, speaking for Westmincom, said the dead toll in the explosions at the Our
Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral rose to 22 with the passing of Thelma
Villanueva.
Besana said Villanueva,
one of those seriously hurt in the 8:30 a.m. bombings airlifted to Zamboanga
City Medical Center, succumbed to death after her life support was removed on
Thursday afternoon.
(The removal
of life support) was with her family’s consent, Besana said.
The remains of
Villanueva were brought by her family to Basilan.
Besana said as
of 1:30 p.m. Friday, the official number of victims of Jolo Church bombings was
123. Of this number, 22 were killed that include six soldiers, one coast guard
officer and 15 civilians and 101 wounded, 14 of them were soldiers, two coast
guard personnel and 85 civilians.