Philippine army camp blast kills at least seven people as ISIS claims responsibility

A bomb attack that killed seven people at a military base in the southern Philippines was likely a suicide bombing, said the army in their latest update on Saturday, June 29, another blow to government efforts to rein in militants inspired by ISIL.

Prime suspects in Friday’s attack on Jolo island was the Abu Sayyaf, a militant group that President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to crush after decades of banditry and kidnapping, and countless attacks on civilian and military targets.

The bombing killed three soldiers, two civilians plus the two suspected attackers, and wounded 22.

If confirmed, it would be the Philippines’ third suicide bombing in a year, marking a sinister turn in its fight against the militants, who have been joined by fighters from Malaysia and Indonesia and have capitalized on the south’s jungles, porous borders and abundant arms.

Source: Reuters