ISLAMIC STATE CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR MASS BOMBING IN MARAWI

MANILA — The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for an attack on a Catholic mass in Marawi on Sunday, which killed at least four people and injured 50 others.

The blast happened during a morning service at Mindanao State University's gymnasium in Marawi, the country's largest Muslim city, which was besieged by militant groups in 2017.

The Islamic State group said in a statement on its Telegram channels that "soldiers of the caliphate detonated an explosive device on a large gathering of Christians... in the city of Marawi."

Security officials had earlier said the blast from an improvised explosive device might have been a retaliatory attack for a series of military operations against Islamist militant groups in recent days.

Investigators are “still gathering information” on the Islamic State claim, said Bangsamoro police public information officer PLt. Eirene Mazon.

"We are accepting all the possibilities. As of now, mayroon tayong persons of interest at mayroon tayong tinitingnang angles kung ano po ba ang dahilan ng insidenteng ito," she told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

Photos posted on the Lanao del Sur provincial government's Facebook page showed several overturned plastic chairs, shattered glass and debris around a black patch on the floor of the gymnasium.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has condemned the attack by "foreign terrorists", describing it as "senseless" and "heinous", while Pope Francis offered his prayers for the victims.

"I am close to the families, to the people of Mindanao, who have already suffered so much," the pontiff said from his residence in remarks broadcast in Saint Peter's Square.

Mindanao State University issued a statement condemning "the act of violence" as it suspended classes and deployed more security personnel on the campus.

"We stand in solidarity with our Christian community and all those affected by this tragedy," the university said.

Marawi city Mayor Majul Gandamra urged members of the Muslim and Christian communities to remain united.

"Our city has long been a beacon of peaceful coexistence and harmony, and we will not allow such acts of violence to overshadow our collective commitment to peace and unity," Gandamra said in a statement condemning the attack.

US, ISRAEL CONDEMN 'HORRIFIC TERRORIST ATTACK' IN MARAWI

MANILA — The United States and Israel condemned the "horrific" bomb attack on a Catholic mass in Marawi on Sunday, which killed at least four people and wounded dozens.

The US Department of State said it "condemns in the strongest terms the horrific terrorist attack" at Mindanao State University (MSU).

"We mourn those killed in the attack, and our thoughts are with the injured," it said in a statement.

"The United States is in close contact with our Philippine partners and stands with the people of the Philippines in rejecting this act of violence," it added.

Israel's embassy in Manila also condemned the "heinous act of terrorism."

"Our hearts go out to the victims and their bereaved families, and we extend our deepest condolences and sympathy during this difficult time. We also pray for the swift recovery of those injured," it said in a statement.

"Israel is in solidarity with the Philippine government and Filipino people in face of this despicable terrorist attack. Terrorism is a global threat that needs collective unity among nations to safeguard the well-being of all people and communities," the embassy said.

IMAMS, CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONDEMN DEADLY SUNDAY MASS BOMBING

MANILA — Both Muslim and Catholic religious leaders have denounced the deadly explosion that took place during Sunday mass in a university gymnasium in Marawi City. 

In separate statements, the United Imams of the Philippines and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) decried the act of violence that the police estimate has claimed at least four lives and left dozens more injured.

The Muslim religious leaders called the bombing attack at Mindanao State University (MSU) a violation of “all human and Islamic norms” and cited verses in the Quran that forbid “all forms of attacks on innocents.”

“In Islam, the only wars that are permitted are between armies and they should engage on battlefields and engage nobly. The Prophet Muhammad said, ‘Do not kill women or children or non-combatants and do not kill old people or religious people,’ and he mentioned priests, nuns and rabbis,” the United Imams of the Philippines said.

The Filipino imams added that violence against innocent civilians “constitutes a form of injustice that cannot be tolerated by Islam, which views them as gross crimes and sinful acts.”

“Any attack on innocent people is unlawful and contrary to shari'a (Islamic law). Muslims must safeguard the lives, honor and property of civilians and non-combatants. Attacking them contradicts shari'a,” the United Imams of the Philippines added.

Similarly, the CBCP expressed grief over the deadly attack that targeted the Catholic faithful, pointing out that those behind the act had chosen to do so on the first Sunday of Advent (December 3).

“Surely, the killers who precipitated such a horrendous act of violence have their loved ones too. What would it take to get them to see in the families of their victims their own families?” CBCP President Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said.

“Such violence should not only be denounced; it should also be renounced as a way of seeking redress by every peace-loving Filipino,” he added.

MAGNITUDE 6.8 QUAKE ROCKS CAGWAIT, SURIGAO DEL SUR

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Cagwait in Surigao del Sur before dawn Monday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said, the latest in a slew of strong quakes all concentrated in the same area.

Monday's tectonic earthquake hit at 3:49 a.m. at a depth of 1 kilometer. Phivolcs said there is no tsunami threat from the quake.

Reported intensities:

Intensity V - Cagwait, Surigao del Sur

Intensity IV - Tarragona, Davao Oriental; City of Tandag, Surigao del Sur

Intensity III - City of Iligan; City of Cagayan de Oro; Banaybanay, Lupon, and City of Mati, Davao Oriental

At 5:43 a.m., Phivolcs recorded another earthquake measuring magnitude 5.6 in the same area.

The United States Geological Survey, meanwhile, measured the 3:49 a.m. earthquake at magnitude 6.9.

Two people were killed and there was minor infrastructure damage after a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the area on Saturday, with multiple aftershocks including a 6.6 quake striking in the days since.

That temblor came nearly two weeks after a 6.7 magnitude quake hit Mindanao, killing at least nine people, shaking buildings and causing part of a shopping mall ceiling to collapse.

11,000 FAMILIES IN HINATUAN AFFECTED BY STRONG SURIGAO QUAKE: MAYOR

MANILA — Around 11,000 families — or 41,000 people — in Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur province were affected by the strong 7.4-magnitude earthquake that shook eastern Mindanao, the town's mayor Shem Garay said.

Speaking on TeleRadyo, Garay also said that the estimated cost of damage to houses in the 24 barangays in the municipality has reached P88 million.

At least one was killed in the Saturday quake that had spawned major aftershocks and a tsunami alert, which was later lifted.

Garay said no casualties were reported in Hinatuan — the town nearest to the epicenter of the 7.4-magnitude offshore tremor.

The mayor added that electricity in the town has been intermittent and that some residents needed to boil the tap water due to mud contamination.

Classes have been suspended to give way to assessment of school buildings, he said.

CHINA ACCUSES US OF 'STIRRING UP' SOUTH CHINA SEA TENSIONS

BEJING — China on Monday said the United States was responsible for "deliberate stirring up" of tensions in the South China Sea, after a US warship navigated through waters claimed by Beijing.

"On December 4, littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords illegally entered the waters adjacent to Ren'ai Reef in the Nansha region of China without the approval of the Chinese government," Southern Theatre Command spokesman Tian Junli said.

The Second Thomas Shoal -- referred to in Chinese as Ren'ai Reef -- is about 200 kilometers from the western Philippine island of Palawan, and more than 1,000 kilometers from China's nearest major landmass, Hainan island.

China's military on Monday "followed the entire operation", said Tian, adding that the "deliberate stirring up of the South China Sea by the United States is a serious infringement of China's sovereignty and security".

"Troops in the theatre of command maintain a high state of alert at all times, resolutely defending national sovereignty and security".

Beijing has ignored a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that its claims to almost the entire sea have no legal basis.

China has ramped up patrols of the waters and reefs in the South China Sea over the past decade or so, and built artificial islands that it has militarized to reinforce its assertion.

11 HIKERS FOUND DEAD AFTER INDONESIA VOLCANO ERUPTION: OFFICIAL

JAKARTA, Indonesia — At least 11 hikers have been found dead after a volcano erupted in western Indonesia, a local rescue official told AFP Monday.

Mount Marapi on the island of Sumatra, with a peak of 2,891 meters, erupted Sunday sending a tower of ash 3,000 meters into the sky.

"There are 26 people who have not been evacuated, we have found 14 of them, three were found alive and 11 were found dead," said Abdul Malik, head of Padang Search and Rescue Agency, speaking a day after the eruption.

He said there were a total of 75 hikers on the mountain from Saturday who rescue workers were trying to account for.

Twelve were still missing and 49 had descended, some of whom had been taken to hospital, he said.

Rescue teams were working through the night to help bring mountaineers down to safety, West Sumatra's natural resources conservation agency said.

Rudy Rinaldi, head of the West Sumatra Disaster Mitigation Agency told AFP some of the rescued hikers were receiving medical treatment.

"Some suffered from burns because it was very hot, and they have been taken to the hospital," he said.

"Those who are injured were the ones who got closer to the crater."

Marapi is on the second alert level of Indonesia's four-step system and authorities have imposed a three-kilometer exclusion zone around its crater.

HOUSE OKS BOOST FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PROFESSION

MANILA — The House of Representatives in the Philippines unanimously approved House Bill 9134, amending the Philippine Mechanical Engineers Act of 1998, with a vote of 246-0. The bill aims to strengthen the mechanical engineering profession by upgrading the required skills for infrastructure projects. It prohibits unlicensed individuals from working on projects and emphasizes the need for duly licensed professional mechanical engineers in charge. The Board is assigned to establish guidelines for qualification, supervise professional MEs, and review classifications every three years. The bill, endorsed by engineers and lawmakers, addresses the demand for skilled professionals in the industry.

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DHSUD GROUPS IDENTIFY GOVERNMENT LANDS FOR HOUSING

MANILA — The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development has created technical working groups (TWGs) to expedite the identification of government-owned land across the country that could be used for housing projects, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said yesterday.

Acuzar issued Department Order 2023-020 on Nov. 25 instructing the TWGs – composed of experts on environmental, land use, urban planning and development, public housing and settlements – to identify and vet government-owned lands for housing, human settlements and urban development.

Under the order, the TWG will be headed by DHSUD Undersecretary Henry Yap, while the TWGs in the regional offices will be headed by heads of their Environmental, Land Use and Urban Planning and Development Divisions.

“We’ve been discussing with some local government units and national government agencies on how we can achieve a comprehensive list of land assets we can use. This order should stimulate more activities on the ground as we aggressively implement the 4PH,” Acuzar said, referring to the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino.

President Marcos signed Executive Order 34 in July to create an inventory of suitable lands to implement his administration’s flagship housing program, the 4PH.

The program aims to build six million housing units from 2023 to 2028 and is headed by the DHSUD.

GASOLINE, KEROSENE PRICES RISE IN FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER

MANILA — Gasoline and kerosene prices are rising in the first week of December.

Oil companies announced the following price adjustments effective Tuesday, December 5.

SHELL PILIPINAS (from 6 a.m.)

Gasoline - P0.30/L increase

Kerosene - P0.20/L increase

Diesel - P0.30/L decrease

CLEANFUEL (from 12:01 a.m.)

Gasoline - P0.30/L increase

Diesel - P0.30/L decrease

PETROGAZZ (from 6 a.m.)

Gasoline - P0.30/L increase

Diesel - P0.30/L decrease

LTFRB EXTENDS PUB PERMITS FOR HOLIDAYS

MANILA — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has extended the validity of special permits for public utility buses (PUBs) to address the anticipated increase in the number of commuters travelling to the provinces for the holidays.

The LTFRB, in Board Resolution No. 101-2023, said the duration of the special permit will be from Dec. 15 to Jan. 14, 2024.

“To serve the best interest of the riding public, the board deems it necessary to review and amend the existing policy on the issuance of special permits for the 2023 holiday season, particularly on the duration of the permit to address the expected increase of travelers to the provinces,” the LTFRB said in its resolution.

Special permits that have been processed by the LTFRB will also have their validity extended.

Twin weather systems to bring rains to 4 Luzon provinces

Four provinces in Luzon will experience rainy conditions due to two weather systems, PAGASA said Monday.

The northeast monsoon or Amihan will bring cloudy skies with rains in Batanes and Cagayan.

Scattered rain showers and thunderstorms will be experienced in Aurora and Quezon due to the Easterlies, the warm winds blowing from the Pacific.

Ilocos Region, Cordillera, and the rest of Cagayan Valley will have generally fair weather with some isolated light rains.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be warm and humid with chances of thunderstorms, mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Small sea vessels can now sail over the seaboards of Northern Luzon as the gale warning has been lifted due to the weakening of Amihan.

State weather forecaster Benison Estareja said PAGASA is not monitoring any potential weather disturbance in the Philippine area of responsibility in the coming days.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

ALDEN RICHARD FREED UP HIS SCHEDULE TO SHOOT MOVIE WITH SHARON CUNETA

MANILA -- Right from the introduction, Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards were all smiles during the grand media conference of their Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) movie "Family of Two" on Sunday.

Cuneta's last MMFF appearance was back in 2009 for "Mano Po 6," while Richards' was "My Bebe Love: Kilig Pa More" with his then on-screen partner Maine Mendoza, plus Vic Sotto and Aiai delas Alas.

Cuneta said she missed doing wholesome movies like "Family of Two," which was graded G by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.

Director Nuel Naval and writer Mel del Rosario revealed that it was Cuneta who was cast first as Cineko Productions head Enrico Roque always wanted to produce a movie for the actress.

When Cuneta gave the green light, they chased for Richards, who admitted that he freed up his schedule just to accommodate the movie.

Richards turned emotional when he talked about the life lesson of expressing love to parents. In real life, the actor lost his mother back in 2008 -- and he regretted that he was not able to show back his mom the love and appreciation for taking care of him.

SPORTS

PBA COMMISSIONER'S CUP 2023-24 DEC 3 SCORES

Meralco def. NLEX, 97-94 (29-17, 54-34, 82-62, 97-94)

Ginebra def. TerraFirma, 110-99 (25-29, 53-42, 83-68, 110-99)

NBA SCORES OF GAMES PLAYED ON DEC 2, 2023

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Warriors

9-11

33        34        25        20        112

Clippers

9-10

22        26        37        28        113

Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

S. Curry GS PG

22 PTS , 4 REB , 11 AST

P. George LAC SF

25 PTS , 6 REB , 6 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Timberwolves

15-4

30        32        26        35        123

Hornets

6-12

23        36        28        30        117

Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

K. Towns MIN C

28 PTS , 7 REB , 5 AST

T. Rozier CHA SG

23 PTS , 6 REB , 7 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Cavaliers

11-9

25        29        31        25        110

Pistons

2-18

30        18        34        19        101

Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

D. Garland CLE PG

22 PTS , 1 REB , 5 AST

C. Cunningham DET SG

23 PTS , 8 REB , 11 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Magic

14-6

22        29        34        16        101

Nets

10-9

43        30        25        31        129

Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

F. Wagner ORL PF

20 PTS , 7 REB , 5 AST

M. Bridges BKN SF

42 PTS , 5 REB , 3 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Hawks

9-10

37        26        35        23        121

Bucks

14-6

42        25        32        33        132

Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

T. Young ATL PG

32 PTS , 2 REB , 12 AST

G. Antetokounmpo MIL PF

32 PTS , 11 REB , 10 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Pacers

10-8

25        40        41        38        144

Heat

11-9

31        34        33        31        129

Kaseya Center, Miami, FL

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

B. Brown IND SF

30 PTS , 4 REB , 2 AST

J. Butler MIA SF

33 PTS , 5 REB , 5 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Pelicans

11-10

29        32        21        36        118

Bulls

7-14

32        21        36        35        124

United Center, Chicago, IL

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

Z. Williamson NO PF

27 PTS , 5 REB , 3 AST

C. White CHI PG

31 PTS , 9 REB , 6 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Grizzlies

5-14

27        24        21        37        109

Suns

12-8

27        23        34        32        116

Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Jackson Jr. MEM PF

37 PTS , 9 REB , 2 AST

D. Booker PHO SG

34 PTS , 10 REB , 7 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Thunder

13-6

33        39        35        19        126

Mavericks

11-8

27        29        28        36        120

American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Williams OKC SG

23 PTS , 5 REB , 5 AST

L. Doncic DAL PG

36 PTS , 15 REB , 18 AST

Final/OT

1          2          3          4          OT       T

Trail Blazers

6-13

24        20        30        32        7          113

Jazz

7-13

21        35        28        22        12        118

Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

S. Sharpe POR SG

25 PTS , 5 REB , 4 AST

C. Sexton UTA SG

25 PTS , 4 REB , 5 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Nuggets

14-7

30        20        28        39        117

Kings

11-7

25        39        24        35        123

Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

N. Jokic DEN C

36 PTS , 13 REB , 14 AST

M. Monk SAC SG

26 PTS , 3 REB , 4 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Rockets

8-9

30        14        28        25        97

Lakers

12-9

25        35        26        21        107

Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

F. VanVleet HOU PG

22 PTS , 5 REB , 7 AST

A. Davis LAL PF

27 PTS , 14 REB , 3 AST

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply. - Stephen R. Covey