MANILA - The death toll in the twin explosions that rocked a Jolo cathedral on Sunday has risen to 22, authorities said Friday.
The latest casualty was 68-year-old Thelma Villanueva, who died in the intensive care unit of the Zamboanga City Medical Center "after [her] family decided to cease life support," the military's Western Mindanao Command said.
Two blasts rocked the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo Sunday morning while a mass was ongoing, killing parishioners and state troops.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the military is looking at the involvement of the IS-inspired Abu Sayyaf group.
Investigation showed a woman left one of the bombs near a pew inside the church, but authorities have yet to establish the culprit's identity.
Four persons of interest, including the sibling of a slain Abu Sayyaf official, earlier surrendered to government troops to deny their involvement in the bloody incident.
The government has launched an all-out war against the Abu Sayaff group in the wake of the attack while the military called for calm and public vigilance.
- with a report from Chrisel Almonia, ABS-CBN News
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