Three people were killed and nine wounded when an explosion ripped through a Catholic Mass in a university gymnasium in the southern Philippines on Sunday (Dec 3), police said.

Iran PressAsia: At least four were killed and 50 injured in an explosion inside a gym of Mindanao State University in the Philippines' southern province of Lanao del Sur on Sunday morning, local military and police said.

Major General Gabriel Viray, the commander of the Army's 1st Infantry Division, said the deaths include three females and a male.

The blast occurred past 7 a.m. local time when students and teachers gathered for a Catholic mass inside the gym, according to local police.

Police were investigating the type of explosive device used in the blast.

Mindanao State University issued a statement condemning "the act of violence", as it suspended classes and deployed more security personnel on the campus. 219

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