Militants behind Philippine attacks, says army chief

MANILA, Aug 25 (AP): The Philippine army chief said Tuesday that two Islamic militants who blew themselves up were responsible for the bombings that killed at least 14 people and wounded 75 more, the country's worst extremist attack this year.

Military officials initially said that the first of two powerful explosions that rocked Jolo town in the southern province of Sulu on Monday was caused by a bomb rigged in a motorcycle, while the second blast was a woman suicide bomber.

Army commanding general Cirilito Sobejana, however, said an initial investigation, along with witnesses' accounts and security camera footage, showed that the first explosion was also set off by a suicide attacker.

"It's been validated," Sobejana told reporters.

The military is trying to determine if the two suicide bombers behind the explosions were the widows of Abu Sayyaf militants Talha Jumsah and Norman Lasuca, Sobejana said.