Jolo church attack: Many killed in Philippines

Two bombs at a Roman Catholic cathedral in southern Philippines have killed at least 19 people and injured dozens more, officials say.

The first blast happened as Sunday Mass was being celebrated at the cathedral on Jolo island, where Islamist militants are active.

As soldiers responded, a second device was detonated in the car park.

The attack happens after a majority-Muslim area in the region voted for greater autonomy in a referendum.

No group has said it was behind the attack. Jolo has long been a base for militants including those of the Abu Sayyaf group.

The first blast happened at 08:45 local time (00:45 GMT) at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which has been hit by bombs in the past.

Most of the victims are civilians.

Images posted on social media showed the main road leading to the church sealed off by soldiers in armoured personnel carriers.

Some of the wounded were evacuated by air to the nearby city of Zamboanga.

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.

Last week, voters approved the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in majority-Muslim areas of southern Philippines.

But voters in Sulu province, where Jolo is located, rejected it.