Five people were killed and 29 others injured in a bomb attack on a Roman Catholic church in Cotabato City on Sunday morning, officials said.
The death toll rose after hospital officials confirmed that one of the injured, identified as Elmer Noble, succumbed to severe injuries hours after the blast.
The improvised explosive device (IED) went off at a lechon (roasted pig) house in front of the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral along Quezon Avenue at around 8:50 a.m., the Cotabato City police said.
The explosion took place just as people were leaving the Church after the second Mass, which ended at around 8:45 a.m.
Officials earlier said two of the victims were killed on the spot. One was identified as Ruby Ramirez, 43, of Philippine Trade in Barangay Bulalo in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao and owner of LC Omega Lechon Haus where the explosive was planted. The other was unidentified and known only to be mentally ill.
Two of the victims died at the Cotabato City Emergency and Medical Specialist Hospital not long after the blast. One was identified as Prince Salem Cang Diaz, grand son of Patricio Diaz, former editor-in-chief of Cotabato-based The Mindanao Cross. The other was known only as Paulo Kahar.
Noble, the fifth fatality, was a 32-year-old member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu), officials said. He died at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC).
Among those injured who were taken to the CRMC along Sinsuat Avenue were Jay C. Cergas, 29; his wife, Priscilyn, 27; and 3-year old son Vincent Jay.
The others were identified as Datu Manod Abedin; Nestor Luna, 29; Rey Silo Callado, 38; Rosita Echavez; Sonny Ilian; Purificacion Alviar; Rodrigo Ominga; Mado Guiamad; Jocelyn Abdulla, 38; Ferdinand Benora, 27; Gramatica Purling; Mohammad Tipadan; Maricel Escanel, 29; Jerrimae Dapilan, 18; Junreil Sayre, 9; Danisa Sayre, 11; Joeffrey Sayre, 1; Giovanni Lomigcit, 19; Jayvil Joy Caida, 13; and Sgt. Freddie Millan, a CAFGU commander.
Six victims who were rushed to the Cotabato City Emergency and Medical Specialist were identified as Aldrian Sinapilo, Amilil Kahabudin, Torla Arliechos, Jun Parcon, Weng Garcia, and Zacaria Ampang.
Authorities arrested a still unidentified male they suspected to be the attacker, minutes after the blast, according to Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema.
The suspect was placed under the custody of the Cotabato City Police, Sema said.
Terror attack
Lt. Col. Jonathan Ponce, spokesperson of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao, said the explosion was obviously targeted at churchgoers.
“They are no longer choosing their targets. They are targeting even the worshippers," he said.
One churchgoer who identified himself only as Joel said: “There is no other motive why the group behind this attacked the Church. The explosive was meant to kill and inflict harm."
Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, chief of the Armed Forces’ Public Information Office, said suspected members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) staged the attack.
“It is plainly terrorism kasi sa mga pagsabog na ginagawa sa populated areas, these are the signature of the SOG (special operations group) ng MILF," he told dzBB radio in an interview.
MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu also condemned the bombing and called for an independent investigation to find out who were really involved.
“This handiwork of heartless people deserve to be condemned in the strongest terms. We are calling for an independent body to investigate and get the truth about the incident," he said in a text messages to GMANews.TV.
Terror attacks targeting churches are nothing new in Mindanao but this was the first one in years.
Source : http://www.gmanews.tv/story/166620/Bomb-attack-on-Cotabato-City-cathedral-kills-five-hurts-29
The death toll rose after hospital officials confirmed that one of the injured, identified as Elmer Noble, succumbed to severe injuries hours after the blast.
The improvised explosive device (IED) went off at a lechon (roasted pig) house in front of the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral along Quezon Avenue at around 8:50 a.m., the Cotabato City police said.
The explosion took place just as people were leaving the Church after the second Mass, which ended at around 8:45 a.m.
Officials earlier said two of the victims were killed on the spot. One was identified as Ruby Ramirez, 43, of Philippine Trade in Barangay Bulalo in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao and owner of LC Omega Lechon Haus where the explosive was planted. The other was unidentified and known only to be mentally ill.
Two of the victims died at the Cotabato City Emergency and Medical Specialist Hospital not long after the blast. One was identified as Prince Salem Cang Diaz, grand son of Patricio Diaz, former editor-in-chief of Cotabato-based The Mindanao Cross. The other was known only as Paulo Kahar.
Noble, the fifth fatality, was a 32-year-old member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu), officials said. He died at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC).
Among those injured who were taken to the CRMC along Sinsuat Avenue were Jay C. Cergas, 29; his wife, Priscilyn, 27; and 3-year old son Vincent Jay.
The others were identified as Datu Manod Abedin; Nestor Luna, 29; Rey Silo Callado, 38; Rosita Echavez; Sonny Ilian; Purificacion Alviar; Rodrigo Ominga; Mado Guiamad; Jocelyn Abdulla, 38; Ferdinand Benora, 27; Gramatica Purling; Mohammad Tipadan; Maricel Escanel, 29; Jerrimae Dapilan, 18; Junreil Sayre, 9; Danisa Sayre, 11; Joeffrey Sayre, 1; Giovanni Lomigcit, 19; Jayvil Joy Caida, 13; and Sgt. Freddie Millan, a CAFGU commander.
Six victims who were rushed to the Cotabato City Emergency and Medical Specialist were identified as Aldrian Sinapilo, Amilil Kahabudin, Torla Arliechos, Jun Parcon, Weng Garcia, and Zacaria Ampang.
Authorities arrested a still unidentified male they suspected to be the attacker, minutes after the blast, according to Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema.
The suspect was placed under the custody of the Cotabato City Police, Sema said.
Terror attack
Lt. Col. Jonathan Ponce, spokesperson of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao, said the explosion was obviously targeted at churchgoers.
“They are no longer choosing their targets. They are targeting even the worshippers," he said.
One churchgoer who identified himself only as Joel said: “There is no other motive why the group behind this attacked the Church. The explosive was meant to kill and inflict harm."
Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, chief of the Armed Forces’ Public Information Office, said suspected members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) staged the attack.
“It is plainly terrorism kasi sa mga pagsabog na ginagawa sa populated areas, these are the signature of the SOG (special operations group) ng MILF," he told dzBB radio in an interview.
MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu also condemned the bombing and called for an independent investigation to find out who were really involved.
“This handiwork of heartless people deserve to be condemned in the strongest terms. We are calling for an independent body to investigate and get the truth about the incident," he said in a text messages to GMANews.TV.
Terror attacks targeting churches are nothing new in Mindanao but this was the first one in years.
Source : http://www.gmanews.tv/story/166620/Bomb-attack-on-Cotabato-City-cathedral-kills-five-hurts-29
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