Southeast Asian bloc condemns Philippines attack

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Southeast Asian nations' bloc Friday condemned the attack in the Philippines which killed at least four people last Sunday.

“We fully support the efforts of the government of the Philippines in addressing the situation and bringing the perpetrators to justice,” said a statement by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Extending solidarity with Manila, the bloc said: “We reaffirm our commitment to continue, strengthen, and enhance regional counter-terrorism cooperation to prevent the recurrence of terrorist incidents in the future.”

At least four students were killed and another 50 injured in a suspected bomb explosion at a state university in southern Philippines on Sunday.

The explosion ripped through a gymnasium of the Mindanao State University in Marawi city.

Authorities said that the victims were hearing Sunday mass in the university gym when an unknown device exploded.

Filipino police named two suspects – Kadapi Mimbesa and Arsani Membisa — who allegedly belong to the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute group. At least one person has been arrested by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the case.