Explosion at Sunday Mass in Philippines Gym Kills 17, Injures 57

In a shocking turn of events on a peaceful Sunday morning, a devastating explosion shattered the tranquility of Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in the southern Philippines. Striking around 8:30 a.m. local time, the incident targeted the Mount Carmel Cathedral and an adjacent gymnasium, coinciding with a Sunday mass and a fitness class, turning moments of community and serenity into scenes of chaos.

Authorities quickly confirmed at least 12 casualties, with many more left grappling with injuries. The Philippine National Police (PNP) disclosed that the explosion resulted from a meticulously placed improvised explosive device (IED) within the church premises. As panic and confusion spread, a second explosion ensued from an IED hidden in a motorcycle parked outside the gym, amplifying the devastation and causing additional harm to nearby structures and vehicles.

While no group has claimed responsibility officially, suspicions point to the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), a militant Islamist organization with historical ties to ISIS. Renowned for its audacious acts, including kidnappings and bombings, ASG orchestrated a similarly tragic attack on the same cathedral in January 2019, claiming 23 lives and injuring over 100.

Philippines In Shock

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte swiftly condemned the act of terrorism, pledging to pursue and bring the perpetrators to justice. Directives were issued for heightened military and police operations against ASG and other terrorist entities in the region. In an official statement, President Duterte affirmed, “We will not allow these terrorists to sow fear and discord in our communities. We will pursue them relentlessly until they are brought to the bar of justice.”

Keep Reading

International leaders, including the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations, expressed condolences and solidarity with the Philippines, reaffirming support in combating terrorism. The tragic incident casts a somber shadow over ongoing peace initiatives between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), highlighting the challenges faced in establishing lasting stability in the region.

Despite a historic peace deal in 2019 creating the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), radical factions such as ASG persist in rejecting peace efforts, opting for continued armed resistance. BARMM’s interim chief minister, Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, condemned the act as an attempt to undermine the peace process, urging unity against the forces threatening the region’s peace and progress.

As investigations unfold and the community grapples with the aftermath, the tragic incident serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience required in the pursuit of lasting peace amid complex geopolitical challenges.

Tags: Explosion
Noto

Jakarta-based Newswriter for The Asian Affairs. A budding newswriter that always keep track of the latest trends and news that are happening in my country Indonesia.

Recent Posts

Bangchak Reduces the Price of Premium Oil to 5 baht Ahead of Christmas & New Year

BCP (Bangchak Corporation Petroleum Public Company Limited) has announced a New Year gift to the users of BCP Premium oil…

December 23, 2024

Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024

The 2024 Vietnam International Defense Expo was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 19, 2024 and…

December 22, 2024

Shooting concludes: Stranger Things 5 to release on Netflix in 2025

Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things is one of the most popular sci-fi horror series globally. It is set…

December 21, 2024

China’s Hypersonic Expansion in Asia Raises Alarms for India

According to the US Department of Defense, China has now produced the most sophisticated supply of hypersonic weapons in the…

December 21, 2024

Melaka International Halal Festival 2024

The Melaka International Halal Festival 2024 aims to turn the city as the prime center of the Halal products and…

December 21, 2024

Chunichi Dragons Renews the Contract of Hiroto Takahashi with Annual Salary of 120 million yen

On Saturday, the stalwart of Chunichi Dragons Pitcher, Hiroto Takahashi attended the negotiation for his contract renewal for the next…

December 21, 2024

This website uses cookies.

Read More