Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippine government has vowed to destroy those behindtwin bombings that killed 27 people and injured nearly 80 others during a churchservice in the country's south on January 27.

In a statement, Salvador Panelo, spokesman ofPhilippine President Rodrigo Duterte, said the enemies of the state havechallenged the capability of the government to secure the safety of its citizens.The armed forces of the Philippines will rise to the challenge and crush thecriminals, he stressed.

The first explosion went off at a cathedral on Joloisland, in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, and was followed by asecond blast outside, which was detonated as security forces raced to thescene, officials said.

The remote island of Jolo is a base of Abu Sayyaf, a militant group notorious for conductingbombings, assassinations and kidnappings.

The bombings took place days after the ratification ofthe Bangsamoro Organic Law, a new law that paves the way for the creation of awider autonomous region for Muslim Filipinos in Mindanao.

Although Muslims overwhelmingly approved the law, Suluprovince, where Jolo is located, voted against the autonomous government.

The Philippine Commission onElections earlier said the law was ratified after getting more than 1.5 millionvotes in favour.-VNA