MANILA, Philippines – Some 6 children are among the wounded in the Jolo Cathedral bombing on Sunday, January 27, according to information from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

According to the PNP ARMM’s tally, the 6 children are between 5 and 10 years old. They are currently staying in the following hospitals:

• 3 in Integrated Provincial Health Office-Sulu Provincial Hospital 
• 2 in Jolo Trauma Hospital
• 1 in Sulu Sanitarium Hospital

A total of 109 were wounded in the attack – mostly civilians, with several personnel from the military, police, and the coast guard.

At least 23 died, making it the deadliest attack on the church in recent history. The death toll rose as of February 4. (LIST: Jolo Cathedral bombings, attacks since 2000)

The bombing occurred when the cathedral was packed for Sunday Mass. At around 8:58 am, an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated near the center of the church, instantly killing people.

Government security forces entered the cathedral, but another IED at the entrance exploded as they were coming in. – Rappler.com