The first Sunday of Advent in the Philippines was marked by an explosion that occurred during Catholic mass in a university gymnasium. At least four people were killed, and dozens more were injured as a result of the blast. Local authorities reported that the explosion happened at around 7 a.m. local time at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City during the religious service on December 3.
The number of people injured in the explosion has risen to 42, according to Jenny Tamano, Lanao del Sur provincial government spokesperson. Authorities had initially reported three fatalities and nine injuries. Police are currently investigating the cause of the explosion and are exploring the possibility of it being an act of revenge by pro-ISIS terrorists.
The incident took place shortly after the Philippine military announced that it had killed 11 suspected ISIS-inspired Islamist terrorist group members in Maguindanao del Sur province. The terrorists were part of Dawlah Islamiyah, which still maintains a presence in Lanao del Sur province, where Marawi city is located. Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. condemned the attack as an act of terrorism and expressed the commitment to pursue justice. MSU pledged to provide support to those affected by the tragic event and is working closely with local government and law enforcement authorities to investigate the attack. Classes and all academic activities have been suspended until further notice, and the number of security personnel on campus has increased.
The southern Philippines, predominantly the homeland of minority Muslims, has been a scene of decades-old separatist rebellion. The largest armed insurgent group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, signed a peace deal with the government in 2014, but smaller armed groups continue to carry out attacks.