MANILA, (Pakistan Point News - 27th Jan, 2019) Twin bombings during a church service in the southern Philippines killed at least 21 people and wounded 81, security officials said, days after a referendum on autonomy for the mainly Muslim region returned an overwhelming "yes" vote, Reuters has reported.
The first explosion went off inside the cathedral in Jolo, on the island province of Sulu, and was followed by a second blast in the car park outside, killing military and civilians, officials said.
Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana called the attack a "dastardly act" and urged the local population to be vigilant and work with the authorities to "deny terrorism any victory". "We will use the full force of the law to bring to justice the perpetrators behind this incident," he said in a statement.
Civilians bore the brunt of the attack, which also killed at least seven soldiers, Reuters concluded.
