7 victims in MSU blast need to undergo major surgeries in hospitals

CAMPUS BECOMES TARGET Authorities secure the gymnasium of Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City on Sunday, shortly after it was turned into a bloody crime scene. The university issued a statement condemning the attack, noting how it was carried out on a campus and targeted a religious ceremony attended by students, a first in MSU’s history. (Photo from Lanao Del Sur Provincial Government/REUTERS)

MANILA, Philippines — Seven persons are confined in hospitals due to injuries sustained from the Mindanao State University (MSU) bombing in Lanao del Sur.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region gave the figure in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Monday.

According to BARMM spokesperson Naguib Sinaribo, the seven individuals need surgeries.

“Ang reported po sa atin, base dun sa data ng emergency operation center ng provincial government ng Lanao del Sur, at saka yung incident command post sa may MSU, mayroong apat na confirmed na dead, mayroong remaining na seven na nasa hospital pa dahil mayroong major surgery na kailangan gawin sa kanila,” said Sinaribo on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing.

(What was reported to us, based on the data of the emergency operation center of the provincial government of Lanao del Sur and the incident command post of MSU, is that four were confirmed dead, and seven remained in the hospital because they needed to undergo major surgery.)

“Mayroong 43 na minor lang naman yung injuries,” he added.

(There are 43 who have minor injuries.)

The regional government will shoulder the hospital expenses, said Sinaribo.

He noted soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and cops from the Philippine National Police were deployed in the school campus after an explosion ripped through the area during a Catholic mass on Sunday.

While terror group Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, authorities are still investigating the tragedy.