President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. denounced and swiftly tagged foreign terrorists in a Sunday morning bombing that killed nearly a dozen people and injured several others at Mindanao State University.
"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the senseless and most heinous acts perpetrated by foreign terrorists upon MSU and Marawi communities," Marcos said in a statement.
"Extremists who wield violence against the innocent will always be regarded as enemies of our society," the President added, urging the public to remain calm and to offer prayers for the victims.
Three women and a man were initially reported to have died from the blast at the university's Dimaporo Gymnasium as students and teachers were attending a Mass at around 7:30 a.m.
Army sources said 11 people were dead from the blast, and some of the 46 victims were brought to Marawi City's Amai Papak Medical Center for wounds and injuries. This could not be independently confirmed.
Four victims are undergoing immediate surgery. They were identified as Maria Zathnaya Tichaga, Sheree Mae Asoy, Alejandro Boles and Graciel Parojenog.
Dra. Pinky Rakiin, chief of the Integrated Public Health Office-Lanao del Sur, released some names of the victims and urged the media to disseminate so that the families of the victims could be informed and coordinate with the hospital.
They are Maria Ruena Laure, Joe Hire Salvedia, Jessie Mae Domapyas, Roger Castillano, Jona Lingana, Hejara Acosta, teacher Michelle Layao, Marjorie Truenchante, Shire Alaba, Marivic Dicano, Jaime Sapio, Saira Tenedo, Ronald Tabibina, Charice Badonsi, Dexter Lirasan, Gregoria Alvarenga, Paula Selma, Jay Gabarpe, Eldritz Daniel, Segundina Nobela, Jenalyn Galavosa, Benjie Lucero and Jasmin Lucer.
The Philippine Army 1st Infantry Division public affairs office said the regional hospital went on code blue with the large number of victims that were brought in for treatment.
"As reports come in throughout the day, I enjoin all of us to remain calm, circumspect, and conscientious in our collective efforts to ensure that the horrific events of this morning are not further compounded by inaccurate, unvetted, and unofficial information," the President said.
"Rest assured, we will bring the perpetrators of this ruthless act to justice," he added. Aside from Mr. Marcos, lawmakers and other government officials condemned the bombing.
Ruthless methods
Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity said the timing of the bombing "shows the ruthless methods" that lawless elements "utilize to sow fear, anger, and animosity among our people."
PA 1ID commander, Major General Gabriel Viray III, called the attack "a terror act."
"Right now, we are on heightened alert, and our troops remain vigilant as we are determining the motive and identifying the perpetrators to ascertain who was behind it," Viray said.
The police and the military are looking at the attack as a possible retaliation for the killing of 11 members of the Dawlah Islamiyah last 1 December in Maguindanao del Sur.
The self-proclaimed Ameer of the DI group and 10 of his men were killed in a clash in the forested area of Mother Tuayan, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan.
"That is one of the angles we are investigating right now, as that is the nearest possible angle to what's happening," Viray said.
Bangsamoro Police Regional Office regional director, Brigadier General Allan Nobleza, said they are also at that angle even as investigators gather evidence and review CCTV footage to get leads on who could be behind the bombing.
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. confirmed the attack could be retaliatory.
He said that the AFP's Western Mindanao Command has launched an operation targeting the group of Abdullah Sapal alias "Brook Sapal," who was the alleged newly assumed emir of the Daulah Islamiyah operating in Mindanao.
On 2 December, Brawner said another operation was launched against Abu Sayyaf group leader, Sawadjaan alias Mundi, a notorious bomb maker.
"He was also neutralized in that operation if you recall Sawadjaan was the mastermind of the Jolo bombings and other terrorist activities in Jolo and also in the area of Western Mindanao Command," the AFP chief narrated.
Full alert
"We have declared a full alert status in the Bangsamoro Region following the explosion incident that happened in MSU because we are looking at the possibility that it may have something to do with the recent operations of the PNP and the military," Nobleza said.
Authorities are now implementing target hardening measures, especially in areas of convergence, he said.
Maj. Alinaid Moner, spokesperson for the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office, reported that initial forensic investigations indicated a grenade caused the explosion.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman expressed profound dismay and sadness over the violence in the region she calls home. "As a daughter of Mindanao and of Marawi itself, this is an unsettling tragedy that breaks my heart," Pangandaman said.
Justice assured
Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. said justice will be served to the victims. "Here in my province, we uphold basic human rights, and that includes the right to religion."
"Terroristic attacks on educational institutions must also be condemned because these are places that promote the culture of peace and mold our youth to be the future shapers of this country," Adiong added.
MSU condemned the incident and expressed condolences to the victims and their families. It said it is "deeply saddened and appalled by the act of violence that occurred during a religious gathering."
The university canceled classes until further notice, and deployed additional security personnel within the campus.
With Nonoy Lacson, Prexx Trozo,
Glen Jacob Jose and Gilbert Gorgonio Jr.