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Police say the explosion at Mindanao State University gymnasium in Marawi could be revenge by pro-Islamic State militants

Four people were killed and dozens more wounded when an explosion ripped through a university gymnasium during Catholic mass in the southern Philippines.

The authorities are investigating the blast at Mindanao State University in Marawi on Sunday, the regional police director, Brig Gen Allan Nobleza, told reporters.

“We’re investigating if it’s an IED [improvised explosive device] or grenade throwing,” Nobleza said.

Regional military commander Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray III said at least four people were killed by the explosion, including three women, and 50 others were brought to two hospitals for treatment of mostly minor injuries.

The explosion caused panic among dozens of worshippers and left the victims bloodied and sprawled on the ground, said Taha Mandangan, the security chief of the sprawling state-run university campus.

At least two of the wounded were fighting for their lives, Mandangan said.

“This is clearly an act of terrorism. It’s not a simple feud between two people. A bomb will kill everybody around,” Mandangan told the Associated Press.

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Army troops and police immediately cordoned off the area and were conducting an initial investigation and checking security cameras for any indication of who may have been responsible for the attack. Security checkpoints were set up around city.

Nobleza said one angle being pursued was possible revenge by pro-Islamic State militants. Marawi was besieged by Islamist militants for five months in 2017.

The Philippine military said on Saturday it had killed 11 militants, including members of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Philippines, a pro-Islamic State group, in a military operation the day before in Maguindanao del Sur province.

“I condemn the violent bombing incident that transpired this morning,” the Lanao del Sur governor, Mamintal Adiong Jr, said in a statement.

“Terroristic attacks on educational institutions must also be condemned because these are places that promote the culture of peace.”

The Marawi city 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 in a statement.

The university issued a statement on Facebook saying it was “deeply saddened and appalled by the act of violence that occurred during a religious gathering. We unequivocally condemn in the strongest possible terms this senseless and horrific act.”

OkpaNsukkaisBae:
Just like Owo church killings, Ozubulu catholic church killings... it also happened in Philippines. God is not all-powerful, far from been merciful too, people came to house of god to worship only to be killed.

Botragelad:
Wow!

OkpaNsukkaisBae:
Just like Owo church killings, Ozubulu catholic church killings... it also happened in Philippines. God is not all-powerful, far from been merciful too, people came to house of god to worship only to be killed.

OkpaNsukkaisBae:
Just like Owo church killings, Ozubulu catholic church killings... it also happened in Philippines. God is not all-powerful, far from been merciful too, people came to house of god to worship only to be killed.