Four killed in 'terrorist attack' in the Philippines

General Gabriel Viray of the Philippine Army stated on Sunday that a likely Islamist terrorist attack had taken place in the city of Marawi, Southern Philippines. The attack was committed during a Sunday Catholic mass, resulting in the deaths of four people.

The homemade explosive device was detonated at a Sunday service inside the gym of Mindanao State University in Marawi city.

A powerful blast claimed the lives of four people - three women and one man, also injuring approximately 50 people.

Marawi, the country's largest Muslim city, is approximately 497 miles south of the Philippine capital, Manila.

According to the local police chief, the assault may have been a reprisal by Islamists for a recent military operation led in the neighboring province of Maguindanao. During the operation, the army succeeded in eliminating 11 fighters associated with armed Islamic groups.