Policemen and soldiers keep watch as body bags (in white), containing the remains of blast victims, as seen in a cordoned area outside a church in Jolo, Sulu province on the southern island of Mindanao, on Jan. 27, 2019. (Xinhua/AFP)

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Sunday condemned the terrorist attack at the Jolo Cathedral in Sulu in the Philippines, where at least 20 were killed.

The UN chief extended his condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded, Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the secretary-general, said in a statement.

"He reiterates the support of the United Nations to the Government and people of the Philippines in their efforts to fight terrorism and violent extremism, and to carry forward the peace process in Bangsamoro region," said Haq.

Explosions Sunday morning at the cathedral killed at least 20 people and wounded dozens of others, just after a landmark vote to form a Muslim autonomous region following decades of unrest.