Double bombing in the Philippines, at least 21 people died

Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said the first bomb exploded in or near the Jolo church while prayers were taking place. The second bomb exploded outside the church as authorities responded to the first incident,GuardianThe dead included both soldiers and civilians.

Photos from the scene posted on social media showed rubble and bodies lying on a busy street outside the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, which has been bombed in the past. Soldiers in armored vehicles blocked the main road leading to the church while other vehicles transported bodies and the wounded to hospitals. Some people were evacuated by plane to nearby Zamboanga City.

"I have ordered our troops to heighten their alert level, secure all places of worship and public places at the same time, and initiate security measures to thwart hostile plans," Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced.

Jolo Island, Sulu Province, has long been in turmoil due to the presence of Abu Sayyaf rebels, a force listed as a terrorist organization by the US and the Philippines for bombing, kidnapping and beheading hostages.

Abu Sayyaf is holding at least five hostages, including a Dutch citizen, two Malaysians, an Indonesian citizen and a Filipino citizen, at bases deep in the jungle, mainly near the town of Patikul, not far from Jolo.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack on the church in Jolo, but Abu Sayyaf is the prime suspect. Other militant groups in Sulu, including a small group of extremely young fighters affiliated with the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS), have also carried out a number of attacks, including kidnappings and beheadings.