21 dead, over 70 injured in twin bombings at a church in Philippines

Philippines : Twin bombings during church services in southern Philippines killed 21 people and injured over 70, said security officials.

According to reports, first bomb exploded inside the cathedral in Jolo, on the island province of Sulu, and was followed by a second blast in the car park outside, killing military and civilians, officials said.

No terrorist group has come forward to claim the attack till now.

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.

The blasts came after an announcement that the region, a mainly Muslim part of the predominantly Catholic Philippines, had approved a plan to govern itself by 2022, boosting hopes for peace in one of Asia's poorest and most conflict-torn regions.

Over 85 per cent people had agreed to vote in favour of the referendum over creation of an autonomous area called Bangsamoro.