Philippine university bomb blast kills four

MARAWI, Philippines — At least four people were killed and dozens wounded in a bomb attack on a Catholic mass in the southern Philippines on Sunday, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr blamed "foreign terrorists".

The blast happened during a regular service at Mindanao State University's gymnasium in Marawi, the country's largest Muslim city, regional police Chief Allan Nobleza said.

"We're investigating if it's an IED or grenade throwing," Nobleza said, referring to an improvised explosive device.

Mindanao State University issued a statement condemning "the act of violence" as it 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.

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

"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the senseless and most heinous acts perpetrated by foreign terrorists," Marcos said. "Extremists who wield violence against the innocent will always be regarded as enemies to our society."

Ensuring safety

Urging calm, Marcos posted on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that he had instructed the national police and armed forces "to ensure the protection and safety of civilians and the security of affected and vulnerable communities".

"Rest assured we will bring the perpetrators of this ruthless act to justice."

Photos posted on the Lanao del Sur government's Facebook page showed several overturned plastic chairs and debris around a black patch on the floor of the gymnasium.

University student Chris Jurado, 21, told Agence France-Presse from his hospital bed that the explosion happened during the first Bible reading of the morning mass at 7 am on Sunday.

"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."

Agencies Via Xinhua