Mass Attack in Philippine Cathedral: 20 People Dead

The two bomb blast at Roman Catholic cathedral on southern Philippine island blew away the entrance to the cathedral and ripped through the main hall, on Sunday which killed 20 people and wounded around 111 people.
The first blast was inside the Jolo cathedral in the provincial capital sent churchgoers and the second blast were just after one minute near the main entrance.
Reportedly one bomb were implanted at the intervals of the Jolo Catholic and the second explosive device may have been denoted to a parked motorcycle.
Among the dead people there were 15 civilians and 5 troops. Including 14 soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and two Philippine National Police officers, two coast guards and 90 civilians have been wounded.
According to the witness, the first explosion scattered the wooden pews inside the main hall and blasted window glass panels, and the second blast injured nearby soldiers who rushed to help the victims of the first explosion.
“I have directed our troops to heighten their alert level, secure all places of worships and public places at once, and initiate pro-active security measures to thwart hostile plans,” said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Defense Secretary.
“We will pursue to the ends of the earth the ruthless perpetrators behind this dastardly crime until every killer is brought to justice and put behind bars. The law will give them no mercy,” said the office of President Rodrigo Duterte.
ISIS on Sunday asserted obligation regarding the bombings by means of its Amaq News Agency. Not long after the Amaq report, ISIS’ “East Asia Province” additionally issued a formal dispatch for the twin suicide bombings.
“Remain calm and avoid spreading panic in our respective communities, to deny terrorism any victory,” said Lorenzana to the public.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines issued an announcement denouncing the assaults and claimed for harmony among all religions in the area.
> Puza Sarker Snigdha