Philippines says foreign terrorists behind university bombing

"I strongly condemn the senseless and heinous acts committed by foreign terrorists. Extremists who use violence against innocent people are the enemies of our society," Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on December 3 after the bombing of a university in Marawi, a city in the south of the country.

According to Reuters , at least four people were killed and 50 injured after a bomb exploded during a morning Catholic Mass at a university gymnasium in Marawi.

Authorities at the scene of the attack. (Photo: Reuters)

Speaking at a press conference after the incident, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said law enforcement agencies would work hard to bring those behind this "terrorist activity" to light.

Mr. Teodoro informed that the authorities recorded signs showing that "foreign elements" were involved in the bombing. However, he refused to provide details so as not to affect the ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, at the school, senior police official Emmanuel Peralta said fragments of a 16mm mortar were recovered.

The Philippine military chief said the blast in Marawi, the capital of Lanao del Sur province, followed a series of military operations against local pro-Islamic State groups in the southern Philippines, including an incident in Lanao del Sur that killed the leader of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute group.

Therefore, Armed Forces Commander Romeo Brawner predicted that the bombing on the morning of December 3 was a "retaliation" activity by the above extremist group.

Police officials in Mindanao and the capital region have been put on high alert and police checkpoints have been tightened “to prevent further incidents,” Peralta said. The coast guard has also directed its units to step up pre-departure checks at ports.

Mindanao State University is "deeply saddened and appalled by the violence that occurred during a religious gathering." On its Facebook page, the university said: "We strongly condemn this senseless and horrific act."

The university is suspending classes until further notice.

Kong Anh (Source: Reuters)

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