WEB DESK
Two bombs minutes apart tore through a Roman Catholic cathedral on a southern Philippine Jolo island killing at least 27 people and wounding 77 others during a Sunday Mass.
Officials said the first blast inside the Jolo cathedral in the provincial capital sent churchgoers to stampede.
Army troops and police posted outside were rushing in when the second bomb went off about one minute later near the main entrance, causing more deaths and injuries.
Cellphone signal was cut off in the first hours after the attack.
Police said the fatalities included 20 civilians and seven troops. Among the wounded were 14 troops, two police and 61 civilians.
Jolo island has long been troubled by the presence of Abu Sayyaf group, who are blacklisted by the US and the Philippines as a terrorist organization.
However, no one has immediately claimed responsibility for the latest attack.