AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Two bombs tore through a Roman Catholic cathedral in southern Philippines on Sunday, killing at least 20 people and leaving dozens wounded, authorities said.
Two suspected improvised explosive devices detonated at intervals at the Jolo Catholic cathedral in the Mindanao region, according to the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.
At least 81 people have been wounded, authorities said, including 14 soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and two Philippine National Police (PNP) officers.
The first device went off inside the cathedral, and the second one targeted nearby soldiers who rushed to help the victims of the first explosion, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said.
The nation's military and the police are securing the area and all casualties were immediately evacuated, regional officials said.
In a statement, Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana condemned the bombing and said he has directed troops to "heighten their alert level" and secure places of worship and public spaces.
"As we convey our sincerest condolences to the families and friends of the victims and offer our sympathy to the peace-loving people of Sulu who are severely affected by this dastardly act, we assure our people that we will use the full force of the law to bring to justice the perpetrators behind this incident," Lorenzana said.
He urged people to "remain calm and avoid spreading panic in our respective communities to deny terrorism any victory."
AFP's Joint Task Force Sulu Commander, Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo Jr., said his forces will "relentlessly hunt the perpetrators of this terror act until justice is served."
The Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo is a Latin Catholic missionary.
