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Jolo church attack: Many killed in Philippines | Jolo church attack: Many killed in Philippines |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Two bombs at a Roman Catholic cathedral in southern Philippines have killed 20 people and injured dozens more, local officials say. | |
The first blast happened as Sunday Mass was being celebrated at the church on Jolo island, where Islamist militants are active. | 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. | 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. | The attack comes days after a majority-Muslim area in the region voted for greater autonomy in a referendum. |
No group has so far said it was behind the attack. Jolo has long been a base for militants including those of the Abu Sayyaf group. | No group has so far said it was behind the attack. Jolo has long been a base for militants including those of the Abu Sayyaf group. |
What is known about the attack? | What is known about the attack? |
The local officials say the first blast happened at 08:45 local time (00:45 GMT) inside the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which has been hit by bombs in the past. | The local officials say the first blast happened at 08:45 local time (00:45 GMT) inside the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which has been hit by bombs in the past. |
The second explosion was shortly afterwards on the doorstep of the church. | The second explosion was shortly afterwards on the doorstep of the church. |
Local police initially put the death toll at 27 but later lowered it to 20, saying there was double counting in earlier official reports. | |
Most of the victims are civilians. | 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. | 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". | 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." | "We will use the full force of the law to bring to justice the perpetrators behind this incident." |
In last week's referendum, voters approved the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in majority-Muslim areas of southern Philippines. | In last week's referendum, 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. |
The referendum was the result of a peace deal between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). | The referendum was the result of a peace deal between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). |
The authorities have previously expressed hopes that the vote could be a political solution to try to end decades of fighting between Islamist separatists and the Philippine army in the predominantly Catholic country. | The authorities have previously expressed hopes that the vote could be a political solution to try to end decades of fighting between Islamist separatists and the Philippine army in the predominantly Catholic country. |
More than 120,000 people have died in the violence. | More than 120,000 people have died in the violence. |