Indonesian police: couple behind church bombing in Philippines
Indonesian police announced on July 23 that a married Indonesian couple was behind a suicide bombing of a Catholic church in the Philippines in January that killed 22 people and injured more than 100 others.
On the scene of bomb attack in Yolo on January 27 (Source: VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian police announced on July 23 that a marriedIndonesian couple was behind a suicide bombing of a Catholic church in thePhilippines in January that killed 22 people and injured more than 100 others.
Speaking at a pressconference, National Police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo said that a man identifiedas Yoga Febrianto, who was arrested in Malaysia last month, identified thehusband as Rullie Rian Zeke and the wife as Ulfah Handayani Saleh.
According to police,Yoga and the couple he recruited for the bombing were part of Jemaah AnshorutDaulah, a banned Islamic extremist organization in Indonesia that allies itselfwith the Islamic State group. Yoga also had contacts with IS militants inAfghanistan.
Prasetyo said Zeke andSaleh had previously failed in an attempt to reach Syria with their children,and after returning to Indonesia underwent a government deradicalizationprogramme before being released.
The Indonesians'involvement in the cathedral attack was initially suspected from theinterrogations of five militants caught by authorities in the Philippines afterthe bombings, Prasetyo said.
The couple's allegedrole in the bombing of the Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo highlights linksbetween militants across Southeast Asia.-VNA
A Philippine militant was suspected of carrying out an apparent suicide bombing last week in the southern Philippines, Major General Cirilito Sobejana said on July 2.
Indonesia’s anti-terror squad has arrested an alleged terrorist suspect and smashed a plan for bomb strikes on August 17 - the Independence Day of Indonesia, police said on July 23.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
On the scene of bomb attack in Yolo on January 27 (Source: VNA) 
