Philippines: Tragic Explosion during Catholic Mass in Marawi City Claims Lives
In Marawi City, Philippines, a tragic explosion during a Catholic mass at a university gym claimed at least four lives and left numerous others injured.
Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. stated that over 40 people were receiving treatment at a government hospital, with additional cases treated at the university’s infirmary.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned the attack, attributing it to “foreign terrorists” without specifying any particular groups. The United States also condemned the “horrific terrorist attack,” expressing solidarity with the Philippines.
Regional police indicated that the assailants were associated with Dawlah Islamiyah, an armed group aligned with ISIS, known to be present in Lanao del Sur province. Marawi City previously faced a prolonged siege in 2017, resulting in over 1,100 deaths, mostly militants, before being quelled by Philippine forces with support from the United States and Australia.
