Terrorism - Philippines: Dead in explosion during Catholic mass
Four people have been killed and 50 others injured in an explosion during a Catholic mass in the Philippines. This was reported by the police and military. According to initial investigations, the explosion was caused by a homemade bomb, the police said. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. blamed foreign terrorists.
"I strongly condemn the senseless and heinous acts committed by foreign terrorists," he announced. The president did not give details. "Extremists who carry out violence against innocent people will always be considered enemies of our society."
"Strong indications of a foreign element"
The explosion reportedly occurred during the First Sunday of Advent mass in a gym at Mindanao State University (MSU) in the city of Marawi in the south of the country. Marawi is predominantly Muslim; the Filipinos are predominantly Catholic. The fatalities were three women and one man, it was reported. The injured were taken to hospitals. Marawi is located around 800 kilometers south of the capital Manila on the island of Mindanao.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said authorities were not authorized to release further information about the suspected involvement of foreign terrorists in the attack. However, he pointed out that there were "strong indications of a foreign element".
The university condemned the attack and suspended classes until further notice. "Our immediate priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, especially our Christian community," it said in a statement.
Retaliation for deaths of Daulah Islamija Maute group fighters?
Marawi was the scene of a five-month siege by Islamist militants in 2017, in which more than 1,200 people, including civilians, were killed. The attack reduced the city to rubble and led to the displacement of around 200,000 people.
Regional police director Allan Nobleza now said the blast could have been in retaliation for the deaths of eleven Daulah Islamija Maute group fighters in a military offensive on Friday in nearby Maguindanao province. Major General Gabriel Viray, divisional commander of the army, also said: "This is an act of terrorism, probably carried out by the Daulah Islamija Maute group."
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Source: www.stern.de
