Tragedy Strikes Marawi University as Bomb Attack Targets Catholic Mass, Classes Suspended
Marawi City, Philippines: A flop wade during a Catholic mass at the Mindanao State University’s gymnasium in Marawi, a municipality previously besieged by pro-Islamic State militants in 2017, left at least four people sufferer and virtually 50 wounded on Sunday. The incident prompted the university to suspend classes until remoter notice, subtracting a somber note to the city’s recent history of conflict.
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Police Lieutenant General Emmanuel Peralta confirmed that the blast, caused by an improvised explosive device, occurred during a morning service. Earlier reports had stated 03 casualties, but the death toll has since risen to 04. The gymnasium, where the wade took place, sink the signs of unconnectedness with overturned chairs, shattered glass, and trash strewn wideness the floor.
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Eyewitnesses recounted the suddenness of the explosion during the morning mass. Chris Jurado, a 21-year-old university student, shared his wits from a hospital bed, emphasizing the ravages and speed of the incident.
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President Ferdinand Marcos swiftly condemned the attack, attributing it to “foreign terrorists” .Meanwhile, Mindanao State University expressed solidarity with the unauthentic Christian community, condemning the act of violence. Classes have been temporarily suspended, and spare security personnel deployed on the campus.
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Marawi Municipality Mayor Majul Gandamra tabbed for unity among Muslim and Christian communities, emphasizing the city’s history of peaceful coexistence. The military is investigating the possibility that the bombing was a retaliatory act for recent operations versus Islamist militant groups in the region.
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Military senior General Romeo Brawner suggested that the wade could be linked to the Maute-ISIS group, citing vestige gathered so far. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro highlighted strong indications of a foreign element in the attack, raising concerns well-nigh potential external involvement.
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As Marawi grapples with this tragic incident, Bangsamoro Government Senior Minister Ahod Ebrahim has condemned the “atrocious and cowardly acts,” urging a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the bombing. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the region as it strives for peace and stability in the produce of past conflicts.
Deadly bomb attack targets catholic mass in southern Philippines #Philippines #MindanaoStateUniversity #MarawiCityhttps://t.co/KtiMgFHu2V pic.twitter.com/uuALKRZsRu
— ILKHA (@IlkhaAgency) December 3, 2023
