IS terrorists say they caused the deadly explosion at a Catholic Mass.

A terrible tragedy has unfolded in the predominantly Muslim city of Marawi, in the south of the Philippines. A self-proclaimed Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a massacre at a Catholic Mass inside a university gym. At least four people were killed and 50 others injured when a huge explosion tore through the building. Panic erupted among students and teachers in the congregation.

Footage showed bloodied victims being carried to ambulances as smoke engulfed the building. Injured people were rushed to Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi, Lanao del sur province. Photos posted on the Lanao del Sur government’s Facebook page showed overturned plastic chairs and debris around a black patch on the floor. Fragments of a 16-mm mortar were recovered, but police are still investigating if it was an improvised explosive device or a grenade.

Initially, there was no clear indication who was behind the ‘horrendous’ attack, but officials were quick to describe it as ‘an act of terrorism’. Earlier on Sunday, the Islamic State released a statement on Telegram, claiming responsibility for the explosion, saying that it had detonated a bomb.

The attack has set off a security alarm beyond Marawi. The Philippine coast guard has ordered personnel to intensify intelligence-gathering, stricter inspections of passenger ferries and the deployment of bomb-sniffing dogs and sea marshals. Presidential adviser Carlito Galvez condemned what he called a bombing incident, saying it “shows the ruthless methods that these lawless elements will utilise to sow fear, anger and animosity among our people”. He added that “we will not allow this to happen”.

It was suggested that this was a retaliatory attack, considering the recent military operations against extremist groups. The attack followed military operations against local pro-IS groups, including the killing of a leader of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute group in Lanao del Sur on the same Sunday.

This terrible tragedy serves as a reminder that we must remain vigilant and consider the safety of our communities first and foremost. The Agency will continue to provide news updates on Twitter and Facebook and will now also send articles straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here.

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