'Foreign terrorists' behind Philippines bombing

At least four people were killed and 50 injured.

At least four people were killed and at least 50 injured after a bomb exploded during a Catholic Mass at a university gym in Marawi, a southern Philippine city besieged by Muslim rebels for five months in 2017.

Philippine security forces and military stepped up surveillance after the terrorist attack. Photo: AP

“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the senseless and heinous acts committed by foreign terrorists,” Mr. Marcos said in a statement. “Extremists who use violence against innocent people will always be considered enemies of our society.”

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told a press conference that law enforcement operations to bring perpetrators of "terrorist activities" to justice would "continue unabated."

Mr Teodoro said there were “clear signs of a foreign element” in the bombing and declined to provide details so as not to affect the ongoing investigation.

Senior police official Emmanuel Peralta said fragments of a 16mm mortar were recovered at the scene.

Could be a "retaliation attack"

The explosion in Marawi, the capital of Lanao del Sur province, came after a series of military operations against local groups supporting the Islamic State (IS) in the southern Philippines, military officials said.

Scene of the terrorist attack. Photo: Reuters

“It is possible that what happened this morning was a retaliatory attack,” Armed Forces Chief Romeo Brawner said at a press conference. Video posted by DZBB showed rescuers carrying injured people out of the gym on plastic chairs.

Police offices in Mindanao and the capital Manila area have been put on high alert, police official Peralta said. Police checkpoints have been tightened "to prevent further incidents from occurring."

The Philippine Coast Guard has also directed surrounding areas to increase inspections of vessels before departure at the country's ports.

Mai Anh (according to AP, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/khung-bo-nuoc-ngoai-dung-sau-vu-danh-bom-o-philippines-hon-50-nguoi-thuong-vong-post274933.html