Four persons were killed and 50 were injured in an explosion in Marawi City on Sunday morning, December 3.
AN explosion hit a Mass in Marawi City on December 3, killing four persons and injuring 50 others. (FB)
Three of the fatalities were female and one was male. Fourty-two of the injured were taken to the Amai Pakpak Medical Center and eight at Infirmary Hospital of the Mindanao State University.
Reports said the explosion at about 7 a.m. occurred during a Catholic student Mass on the first Sunday of Advent at the Dimaporo Gymnasium of the MSU.
Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region chief Police Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza said they are investigating the incident.
Police are determining if a grenade or an Improvised Explosive Device was used.
"We're investigating if it's an IED or grenade throwing," Nobleza said.
Netizens are praying for the safety and recovery of the people of Marawi and the victims.
Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa also aired his prayers for their well-being.
LANAO del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. visits the explosion site under tight security. (Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur FB)
Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal "Bombit" Alonto Adiong Jr. condemned the incident.
“I condemn the violent bombing incident that transpired this morning at the Dimaporo Gymnasium at the Mindanao State University during a Sunday mass congregation,” Adiong said in a Facebook post.
"Here in my province, we uphold basic human rights, and that includes the right to religion. Terroristic attacks on educational insitutions must also be condemned because these are places that promote the culture of peace and mold our youth to be the future shapers of this country," he added.
Adiong urged authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident.
"I urge the security sector to get to the bottom of this IMMEDIATELY!" Adiong said.
"To the families of those whose lives were lost in this senseless act of violence and terrorism, please accept our deepest condolences and sympathies. We will make sure justice will be served."
Adiong visited the area following the explosion under tight security. He afterwards visited victims taken to hospitals in Marawi.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong also condemned the incident and vowed assistance to the victims.
“I have instructed my district office to gather information from the victims. We will extend medical assistance to the wounded. We will work closely with the PNP and the AFP to sort this out and arrest the perpetrators behind this barbaric attack. Icocover namin ang medical expenses nila lahat. HINDI ITO PWEDE PALAGPASIN,” Rep. Adiong said.
The MSU, a State-run university, condemned "the act of violence" and suspended classes and deployed more security personnel on the campus.
"We stand in solidarity with our Christian community and all those affected by this tragedy," the university said in a statement. “We will not be deterred by this act of violence.”
Classes were suspended at MSU until further notice.
University student Chris Jurado, 21, said from his hospital bed that the explosion happened during the first Bible reading of the Mass.
"It was really sudden and everyone ran," Jurado said. "When I looked behind me people were lying on the floor. We didn't know what happened because everything happened so fast."
Rowena Mae Fernandez, 19, said she did not know what the explosion was at first -- then others started running.
"My companion and I also ran, even though we fell on the ground at one point. That was the only thing I remembered until I got out of the gym and I fell again," she said from hospital. "My friends were crying because they saw my injury."
Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra urged members of the Muslim and Christian communities to remain unified. "Our city has long been a beacon of peaceful coexistence and harmony, and we will not allow such acts of violence to overshadow our collective commitment to peace and unity," Gandamra said.
The blast came after the military launched an airstrike on Friday, December 1, that killed 11 members of the Dawlah Islamiyah in nearby Maguindanao del Sur.
Nobleza said police were investigating if the explosion was linked to the airstrike.
He said that they are also investigating if remnants of the Marawi siege by Maute and Abu Sayyaf militant groups were involved in the incident.
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim "condemned the atrocious and cowardly acts" and called for a "thorough investigation" into the incident.
The Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office led by Police Col. Robert Dualan condoled with the victims and vowed an in-depth investigation of the incident. (With a report from Bonita Ermac and AFP)