MANILA – The United States condemned the “horrific terrorist attack” during a Catholic mass at a university in the southern Philippines that killed at least four people and injured dozens, the State Department said on Dec 3.

The US is in close contact with its Philippine partners and stands with Filipinos in rejecting the act of violence, it said in a statement.

A police official said that the Philippines is investigating at least two persons of interest over the bombing.

“(We have persons) of interest but the investigation is still ongoing. In order not to preempt the investigation, we will not divulge the names,” Allan Nobleza, regional police chief, told GMA News on Dec 4.

Security, meanwhile, continues to be tight in the region.

Major Alinaid Moner, spokesman of the Lanao del Sur police office, told News5 radio station on Dec 4: “We continue patrols and security in schools is tighter.”

Mindanao State University (MSU) is continuing operations as it is the period for final exams, he said.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and security officials said on Dec 3 that the crime was perpetrated by “foreign terrorists”.

Hours after, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the bombing at the MSU gymnasium located in the southern city of Marawi, which was besieged by Islamist militants for five months in 2017. REUTERS