IS Claims Responsibility for Deadly Catholic Mass Bombing in Philippines

Facts

• The Islamic State (IS) group has claimed responsibility via its Telegram channel for a bombing attack on a gymnasium at Mindanao State University in Marawi, in the southern Philippines, during a Catholic Mass on Sunday morning. At least four were killed and 50 others injured in the blast.¹
• Philippine Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had earlier blamed foreign terrorists for the deadly attack, with military chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. adding that the explosion could be a retaliation for the killing of 11 Islamic militants in a military operation on Friday in the province of Maguindanao del Sur.²
• The Philippine National Police has strengthened security in Mindanao as well as in Metro Manilla following the attack, increasing police patrols and intelligence gathering. Meanwhile, the Mindanao State University has suspended classes for a week.³
• Regional police chief Allan Nobleza revealed on Monday that at least two suspects have been identified in the incident. Though their names haven't been disclosed as investigations are still ongoing, one of them had reported links to a local militant group.⁴
• Local news outlet Rappler reported that Khadafi Mimbesa, an alleged bomber and sub-leader of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute group in Lanao del Sur who is known as 'Engineer,' is one of the 'persons of interest.'⁵
• The IS has long wielded influence in the southern Philippines; its offshoot Mauta seized Marawi for five months in 2017 in an attempt to establish a 'wilayat' — or governorate — in the Southeast Asian country.⁶

Sources: ¹The Guardian, ²FOX News, ³CNN, ⁴VOA, ⁵Rappler and ⁶Reuters.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Esquire Magazine. Foreign terrorists have played a significant role in this disgraceful attack, which comes immediately after the pro-Islamic State groups in the southern Philippines suffered a heavy setback. As Manilla takes decisive steps to defeat Islamic militants once and for all, those who once were able to seize Marawi City are now launching desperate attacks against innocent worshippers. This tragedy reflects the decline of IS in the region.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by ABS-CBN News. This heinous bombing exposes the Philippine government's failure to prevent terror activities in Mindanao. First and foremost, security agencies blundered their intelligence gathering. Additionally, delays in rehabilitation efforts in Marawi have given terrorists a platform to spread propaganda in a bid to convince others to back them. Authorities should be doing more to prevent attacks like these and protect innocent lives.

Predictions