Bloody Sunday: 4 killed, 42 injured in bomb attack at Catholic Mass in Philippines

• A suspected grenade explosion rocked a Catholic Mass at Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi, Philippines, on Sunday as faithful worshipped
• Local authorities suspect that the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group, a terrorist organisation affiliated with the Islamic State, was behind the attack
• President Ferdinand Marcos condemned the incident as a senseless and heinous act perpetrated by foreign terrorists and vowed to bring them to justice

Mindanao, Philippines - An explosion has rocked a Catholic Mass at Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi, Philippines, on Sunday, December 3, killing four people and injuring 42 others.

Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group blamed

The blast occurred around 7 a.m. as the faithful gathered for prayer at the university’s gymnasium, which is located in the country’s largest Muslim city. Local authorities suspect that the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group, was behind the attack.

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The BBC reported that the wounded were rushed to various hospitals for medical treatment.

President Ferdinand Marcos condemned the incident as a senseless and heinous act perpetrated by foreign terrorists.

“Extremists who wield violence against the innocent will always be regarded as enemies to our society. Rest assured we will bring the perpetrators of this ruthless act to justice,” the president said in a statement.

Pictures shared on social media showed seats strewn on the floor and patches of blood, but there was no sign of major destruction of the building following the blast.

MSU also criticised the incident, saying it goes against the principles of peace, understanding, and unity that should be inviolable in academic institutions.

Violence not way to resolve conflict

“This was an act of violence not only against the innocent victims and their families, but against the principles of peace, understanding, and unity that should be inviolable in academic institutions.

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State universities should serve as safe spaces for all its constituents and as academic bastions where conflicts are discussed, debated, and resolved rather than exacerbated,” the statement read.

According to the BBC, nearly 80% of the 113 million people in the Philippines are Catholic. Most institutions, including malls, provide room for Mass, especially at this time when Catholics observe Advent, which is a vigil that takes place four weeks before Christmas.

Source: TUKO.co.ke