Islamic State claims responsibility for bombing mass in Philippines

The Islamic State terrorist group claimed responsibility for bombing a Catholic mass in the Philippines on Sunday, killing at least four people and injuring 45.

Police identified the explosive device as a 60 mm mortar round, which detonated in the church gymnasium at Mindanao State University in Marawi during the service.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned the attack, saying, “I condemn in the strongest possible terms the senseless and most heinous acts perpetrated by foreign terrorists upon the Mindanao State University."

Military chief General Romeo Brawner theorized that the bombing could be retaliation for targeted actions against three smaller groups that have formally pledged their allegiance to ISIS.

The Philippine military reported killing 11 Dawla Islamiyah fighters and capturing 13 after a three-hour battle on Friday in what they called a "successful operation."

A recent report said there were only 500 ISIS fighters left in Iraq but didn't account for other countries where they may still exist.