Four people were killed and 42 others injured in an explosion that occurred during a Catholic Mass at the gymnasium of Mindanao State University in Marawi, the largest Muslim city in the southern Philippines. The incident, which took place on Sunday morning, prompted authorities to declare the situation "under control," with most of the injuries being minor.
The city of Marawi experienced a five-month battle in 2017 between government forces and militants associated with the Islamic State. Brigadier General Allan Nobleza, the police commander in the region, suggested that the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group, a militant organization, might be responsible for the bombing as an act of retaliation. Just days before the explosion, 11 militants connected to the group were killed in a clash with the Philippine Army, raising suspicions of a link between the two incidents.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr condemned the blast as a "senseless and most heinous" act, speculating that it was perpetrated by foreign terrorists without providing further details. He assured the public that the perpetrators would be brought to justice and called for calm in the aftermath of the attack.
Preliminary investigations indicate that a grenade or improvised bomb caused the explosion at the MSU gymnasium, which resulted in scattered plastic chairs and fragments on the ground. Fortunately, the building did not sustain significant damage apart from the immediate area of the blast. Photos shared on social media showed individuals receiving treatment for minor wounds and bruises, with many being discharged from the nearby hospital.
The incident occurred on a Sunday, the start of Advent, a four-week vigil leading up to Christmas Day observed by the Catholic Church. Masses across the Philippines typically draw larger crowds during this time, and venues such as school gymnasiums and shopping malls are often used as makeshift places of worship in areas where churches are scarce.
Mindanao State University expressed deep sorrow and condemnation for the violence, emphasizing that such acts have no place in a civilized society, particularly within an institution of higher learning. The university announced the deployment of additional security personnel on campus and suspended all academic activities until further notice.
Mindanao, home to the country's Muslim minority, has endured decades of insurgency and extremist violence. In 2012, an agreement was reached between the government and the largest Muslim rebel group to establish an autonomous region in Mindanao, leading to the first regional assembly elections in 2022. However, sporadic incidents of violence continue to disrupt the region's peace.
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