MANILA — In a devastating incident, a bomb attack during a Catholic mass in Marawi, the largest Muslim city in the Philippines, claimed the lives of at least three (3) individuals and left seven (7) others injured on Sunday (Dec 3), according to officials.

The blast occurred during a routine service at the Mindanao State University’s gymnasium, prompting regional police Chief Allan Nobleza to investigate whether it was an improvised explosive device (IED) or a grenade attack.

Mindanao State University promptly condemned the violence, suspending classes and enhancing campus security. The university issued a statement expressing solidarity with the Christian community and all those affected by the tragedy.

Governor Mamintal Adiong visited wounded victims, as documented on the Lanao del Sur provincial government’s Facebook page, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra called for unity among the Muslim and Christian communities, reaffirming the city’s commitment to peaceful coexistence despite the disturbing act of violence.

This incident follows a recent Philippine military airstrike that targeted and killed 11 militants associated with the Dawlah Islamiyah-Philippines organization in Mindanao. The military disclosed that the group had plans for attacks in Maguindanao del Sur province.

Both Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Sur fall within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The region has long been plagued by militant attacks on buses, Catholic churches, and public markets, reflecting the deep-seated unrest.

While a peace pact was signed in 2014 with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the nation’s largest rebel group, smaller factions opposing the deal persist. This includes militants aligned with the Islamic State group and communist rebels operating in the region.

The investigation into Sunday’s attack is exploring possible links to Friday’s airstrike, and authorities are also considering whether remnants of the Marawi siege by the Maute and Abu Sayyaf militant groups are involved, as per Chief Allan Nobleza’s statements.

Airstrike

On Saturday, the Philippine military announced that an airstrike had successfully eliminated 11 armed Islamist militants, effectively dismantling a significant faction among the various small armed groups active in the southern region of the country.

Acting upon information from a civilian source, two military aircraft conducted an airstrike on a mountainous village in Mindanao, on target was a gathering of members from the Dawlah Islamiyah-Philippines organization that took place on Friday.

Several hours after the airstrike, ground forces were able to retrieve the bodies of 11 Filipino militants, including the alleged leader, according to Lieutenant-Colonel Dennis Almorato.

(Amado Inigo/MNM)