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Jolo church attack: Many killed in Philippines | Jolo church attack: Many killed in Philippines |
(35 minutes later) | |
Two bombs at a Roman Catholic cathedral in southern Philippines have killed at least 19 people and injured dozens more, officials say. | |
The first blast happened as Sunday Mass was being celebrated at the church on Jolo island, where Islamist militants are active. | |
As soldiers responded, a second device was detonated in the car park. | |
The attack comes days after a majority-Muslim area in the region voted for greater autonomy in a referendum. | |
No group has said it was behind the attack. Jolo has long been a base for militants including those of the Abu Sayyaf group. | |
The first blast happened at 08:45 local time (00:45 GMT) at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which has been hit by bombs in the past. | The first blast happened at 08:45 local time (00:45 GMT) at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which has been hit by bombs in the past. |
Most of the victims are civilians. | |
Images posted on social media showed the main road leading to the church sealed off by soldiers in armoured personnel carriers. | Images posted on social media showed the main road leading to the church sealed off by soldiers in armoured personnel carriers. |
Some of the wounded were evacuated by air to the nearby city of Zamboanga. | |
Calling the attack a "dastardly act", Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana urged the local population to work with the authorities to "deny terrorism any victory". | |
"We will use the full force of the law to bring to justice the perpetrators behind this incident." | |
Last week, voters approved the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in majority-Muslim areas of southern Philippines. | Last week, voters approved the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in majority-Muslim areas of southern Philippines. |
But voters in Sulu province, where Jolo is located, rejected it. | But voters in Sulu province, where Jolo is located, rejected it. |