ISIS Claims Responsibility for Bomb Explosion in the Philippines

JAKARTA - The ISIS group claimed responsibility for a bomb attack that rocked a university in the Philippines while a Catholic Mass was being held on Sunday, while local security officials said at least four people died as a result of the explosion.

"Caliphate soldiers detonated an explosive device at a large gathering of Christians in Marawi City," the group said in a statement on its Telegram channel, reported by SCMP December 4.

The attack, which also injured dozens of people, took place at a university gymnasium south of Marawi City, on the island of Mindanao.

"I strongly condemn the senseless and most heinous acts committed by foreign terrorists," said Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

"Extremists who commit violence against innocent people will always be considered enemies of our society," he stressed.

The explosion in Marawi, a city besieged by pro-ISIS militants for five months in 2017, came after the killing of 11 combatants in a military operation on Friday in Maguindanao del Sur about 200 km away.

Urging the public to remain calm, President Marcos in his post on X said he had instructed the national police and armed forces to ensure the protection and safety of civilians, as well as the security of affected and vulnerable communities".

"Rest assured we will bring the perpetrators of this cruel act to justice," he said.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro said in a press conference that law enforcement operations to bring to justice the perpetrators of "terrorist activities" would "continue", as quoted by Reuters.

There were "strong indications of a foreign element" in the bombing, Teodoro said, declining to elaborate so as not to disrupt the ongoing investigation.

Separately, Army Major General Gabriel Viray III called the attack on Mindanao State University an "act of terror".

"Currently we are on high alert and our troops remain alert as we determine the motive and identify the perpetrator to truly determine who is behind it," explained Viray.

Viray said at least four people died as a result of the blast, including three women, and 50 others were taken to hospital for treatment, most with minor injuries.

Mindanao State University said in a Facebook post that it was "deeply saddened and shocked by the acts of violence that occurred during religious activities."

"We strongly condemn this senseless and appalling act," the university said, adding it was suspending classes until further notice.