Philippines: Four dead after bomb explosion during Catholic mass

At least four people died and dozens were injured on Sunday when a bomb exploded during a Catholic mass at a university in the south of the country. Philippinesarea with the presence of insurgent groups, police said.

The explosion occurred in the morning, during a mass in the gymnasium of the Mindanao State Universityin Marawithe largest Muslim city in the country.

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The police lieutenant general, Emmanuel Peralta, reported that four people died and almost 50 were injured in the explosion caused by an explosive device. An earlier report indicated there were three deaths.

Other security officials said the attack could have come in retaliation for a series of military operations carried out against Islamist groups in recent days.

The president Fernando Marcos condemned the attack, which he attributed to “foreign terrorists”.

“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the heinous and senseless acts perpetrated by foreign terrorists against the Mindanao State University“Marcos said in a statement.

The university also condemned “the act of violence”, suspended classes and sent more security guards to the campus, the institution said in a statement.

“We remain in solidarity with our Christian community and with everyone affected by this tragedy.,” the statement added.

Images posted on Facebook by the provincial government of Lanao do Sul showed the governor Mamintal Adiong visiting those injured by the attack at a medical center.

Chris Jurado, a 21-year-old university student, told AFP from his hospital bed that the explosion occurred during the first Bible reading at Mass. “It happened suddenly, everyone started running“, said.

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Stay together

In turn, Rowena Mae Fernández19-year-old, said he initially didn’t know it was an explosion.

“My companion and I ran, although at one point we fell to the ground. It was the only thing I remembered until I left the gym and fell again”, he expressed. “My friends cried when they saw me hurt”.

The Mayor of Marawi, Majul Gandamraurged members of the Muslim and Christian communities to remain united.

“Our city has long been an example of peaceful coexistence and harmony, and we will not allow such acts of violence to overshadow our collective commitment to peace and unity.“, Gandamra said in a statement, in which he condemned the attack.

The incident occurred after the Philippine military launched an airstrike on Friday that killed 11 Islamist fighters from the organization. Dawlah Islamiyah-Philippinesin Mindanao.

The armed forces indicated on Saturday that the group planned to carry out attacks in the province of South Maguindanao.

Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Sur are part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Regionon the Muslim island of Mindanao.

The region has suffered attacks on buses, Catholic temples and public markets for decades.

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In 2014, the Philippine government signed a peace agreement with the country’s largest rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Frontwhich put an end to their armed revolt.

But smaller groups of Muslim fighters against the peace deal remain active, including some loyalists to the group. Islamic state (HEY). There are also communist rebels in the region.

In May 2017, hundreds of local and foreign armed men, allied with IS, laid siege to Marawi.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.