Four people died and 50 others were injured in a suspected terrorist attack during a Catholic mass in the south of the Philippines on Sunday. The announcement was made by the police and the military. The explosion at a Mindanao State University gymnasium in Marawi City was likely caused by a homemade bomb, said Army division commander Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray. He added: “This is an act of terrorism.”
On Friday, the Philippine military reportedly killed eleven militant fighters, including Filipino IS supporters, in an operation in the southern province of Maguindanao del Sur. Authorities are now investigating whether the explosion at the university could be a possible act of revenge by Islamic State, regional police director Brigadier General Allan Nobleza told reporters.
The four fatalities were three women and one man, it was said. The injured were taken to hospitals.
Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. condemned the attack in a statement. Educational institutions are places that promote a culture of peace. The university also expressed its horror and strongly condemned the act on social media. Classes would be suspended until further notice.
Marawi City is located a good 800 kilometers south of the capital Manila. The city was the scene of a five-month siege by Islamist militants in 2017 that killed more than 1,200 people, including civilians. The attack reduced the city to rubble and led to the displacement of around 200,000 people.