At least four people died and forty-five were injured when a powerful blast rocked a public university during Sunday mass inside the gym on Mindanao. Security forces are treating the incident as a potential terrorist attack and are examining possible links to Islamist groups operating in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. The incident has prompted a rapid response from local authorities and safety services as investigators begin to piece together the sequence of events and motive behind the explosion.
The blast occurred at Mindanao State University in Marawi City on the first Sunday of Advent, a time traditionally marked by reflection and community gathering. The majority of the wounded were rushed to the nearby Ankara Pakpak Medical Center, with several students among those requiring urgent surgical intervention. Medical teams continue to treat the injured and assess the overall casualty situation as the university community grapples with the shock of the attack.
Two days prior, Filipino authorities reported the deaths of twelve individuals affiliated with an Islamist organization named Daula Islamiya. The group is among several radical networks that the Philippines designates as terrorist organizations, with operations concentrated in the southern, mountainous regions of Mindanao. Among the deceased was a known leader of the group, a detail that compounds the gravity of the violence and raises questions about broader security threats in the region.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Philippine Police, have signaled a focus on terrorism as part of their preliminary assessment. Investigators are awaiting the completion of on-scene inquiries to determine whether the Marawi blast constitutes a terrorist act and to identify the perpetrators and possible accomplices. The process involves gathering forensic evidence, interviews with witnesses, and reviewing security footage from campus facilities and surrounding streets.
Officials from national and local authorities, as well as university leadership, condemned the violence and called for calm while ensuring accountability. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the president-elect at the time, condemned the attack in strong terms, labeling it an act of violence that targets innocent people and disrupts everyday life in a community already coping with conflict. He described the assault as pointless and repugnant, emphasizing that extremists who harm civilians will face scrutiny and legal consequences.
In a social media update, Marcos stressed that the investigation would continue in coordination with regional and local authorities. He praised the quick and decisive responses from security forces, health services, and campus administrators and thanked everyone involved for helping victims and securing the area. He noted that additional security personnel had been deployed and that national security agencies, including the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces, would sustain protective measures to safeguard civilians and vulnerable communities during the ongoing response and recovery efforts.
The leadership of the Philippine Executive Council pledged to pursue justice for those affected and urged the public to remain calm, prudent, and vigilant. Authorities underscored the importance of relying on verified information and avoiding the spread of rumors that could escalate fear or misinformation in the wake of such attacks. As the investigation unfolds, officials and university officials are coordinating communications to keep students, staff, and residents informed about safety measures and ongoing support services.