Mindanao: Quadruple fatality in a blast during Catholic service in Philippines
A blast during a Catholic service in the southern region of the Philippines on Sunday morning resulted in the death of four individuals.
The event happened at Mindanao State University's gymnasium in Marawi, which is the biggest city with a Muslim majority in the country.
Authorities reported that forty-two people sustained primarily minor injuries, also stating that the situation was effectively managed.
In 2017, Marawi became the battleground for a conflict that lasted five months, involving government troops and militants associated with the Islamic State group.
The Islamic State-inspired Maute Group might be responsible for the bombing that occurred on Sunday, according to Brig Gen Allan Nobleza, the regional police chief.
Gen Nobleza confirmed that 11 of their members were killed in a clash with the Philippine Army the previous Friday in the nearby town of Datu Hoffer Ampatuan. This implies that the recent Sunday explosion might have been an act of revenge.
The AFP news agency reports that the Islamic State group has taken credit for the assault.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr denounced the explosion as an "unjustifiable and extremely wicked" deed, carried out by international terrorists. He did not provide further details.
He urged the people to keep their composure. "Have faith, we will ensure that the culprits behind this brutal incident face the law," he stated.
Officials, based on an initial inquiry, suggested that the blast was probably triggered by a grenade or a makeshift bomb.
Images posted on social media by local authorities revealed scattered plastic chairs and dark pieces scattered on the MSU gym floor following the explosion. Except for its floor, the structure didn't seem to have suffered significant damage.
Individuals who were taken to a local hospital were primarily treated for small injuries and contusions, as indicated by images. The regional governor, Mamintal Adiong Jr, stated that a large number of the approximately 36 injured individuals have been discharged.
Sunday congregations in the Philippines were noticeably bigger than average as Advent commenced, marking a four-week countdown to Christmas Day as per Catholic tradition.
Around 80% of the nation's 113 million residents practice Catholicism, and it's quite typical for areas such as school sports halls and even shopping centers to allocate spaces for Sunday Mass. This is particularly prevalent in locations that don't have any churches.
The MSU, being among the biggest universities in the nation, expressed its profound grief and shock over the "illogical and terrible" act of violence.
Aggression has no role in an evolved society, especially in a place of advanced education such as MSU," was the statement.
We express our unity and support with our Christian society and all individuals impacted by this unfortunate event.
The university stated that more security personnel have been stationed on campus, and all educational activities will remain on hold until further notification.
Mindanao houses the nation's Muslim minority and has been the primary victim of rebellion and radical violence.
In 2012, a mutual agreement to form a self-governing region in Mindanao was reached between Manila and the most prominent Muslim insurgent group of the country. The inaugural elections for the regional council took place in 2022. Nonetheless, occasional outbreaks of conflict still occur periodically.
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