Jolo, Philippines: On Sunday at least 18 people were killed when a double bomb attack hit a Catholic church on a southern Philippine island which is a stronghold of Islamist terrorists, informed the military. The blast occured days after voters backed expanded Muslim self-rule in the region.
In an attack claimed by the ISIS group, a powerful blast shattered pews, broke windows and left bodies strewn inside the Catholic church where mass was being celebrated.
Moments later a second explosion outside killed troops who were rushing to help the wounded in the smoking and heavily damaged church on Jolo, a place which is overwhelmingly Muslim.
The experts say that it is one of the deadliest bomb attacks to strike the insurgency-plagued southern Philippines in years, and shows militants in the region are still a threat despite recent steps toward peace.
The bloodshed came less than a week after voters' decisive approval of giving Muslims in the south more control over their own affairs, which sparked hopes of quelling long-time separatist violence.
Manila swiftly vowed to hunt down the attackers. "We will pursue to the ends of the earth the ruthless perpetrators behind this dastardly crime," presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement. "The law will give them no mercy."
Five soldiers, a member of the coast guard and 12 civilians were among the dead while 83 other people were wounded, said regional military spokesman.