A powerful blast, suspected to be caused by a bomb, ripped through a Catholic Mass in Marawi City, a predominantly Muslim city in the southern Philippines, on Sunday, leaving at least four people dead and dozens wounded.
The morning Mass was underway at a gymnasium in Mindanao State University when the explosion occurred, sending panic among worshippers and leaving victims sprawled on the ground.
Regional military commander Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray III confirmed that four individuals, including three women, were killed in the attack, while 50 others sustained injuries, mostly minor.
The authorities have cordoned off the area and initiated an investigation to determine the identity of those responsible for the bombing. Security checkpoints have been established throughout the city to enhance safety measures.
The explosion has heightened concerns during the Christmas season, a period typically marked by increased travel, shopping, and traffic congestion. In response, the Philippine Coast Guard has intensified intelligence gathering, implemented stricter inspections of passenger ferries, and deployed bomb-sniffing dogs and sea marshals.
Presidential adviser Carlito Galvez, a former military chief of staff, strongly condemned the bombing, emphasizing the ruthless tactics employed by these lawless elements to sow fear and discord among the populace.
While the motive behind the attack remains unclear, authorities are investigating the possible involvement of Muslim militants, who maintain a presence in the region despite ongoing military and police operations.
The southern Philippines is home to a minority Muslim population in a predominantly Catholic nation and has been the site of a protracted separatist rebellion.
The largest armed insurgent group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, signed a peace agreement with the government in 2014, significantly reducing decades of conflict.
However, several smaller armed groups have rejected the peace pact and continue to carry out bombings and other attacks while evading government offensives.
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