Blast near cathedral kills 5, wounds 35
By Edwin Fernandez, Charlie Señase
Inquirer Mindanao
First Posted 10:16:00 07/05/2009
COTABATO CITY, Philippines —(UPDATE) Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo has just finished reading the Sunday gospel and was about to start his homily at around 8:40 a.m. when a loud explosion ripped a roadside roasted pig store in front of the Cotabato Immaculate Conception Cathedral.
The blast at the LC Omega Letchon Haus left five persons dead, including a boy, an Army trooper, an elderly woman, and a man said to be suffering from a mental disorder, Mayor Muslimin Sema said, quoting police reports relayed to him. One of the fatalities was identified as Ruby Ramirez, a lechon vendor.
Superintendent Willie Dangane, city police chief, said the explosion at the corner of Macacua Street and Quezon Avenue happened as churchgoers were filing out after an early morning mass.
Thirty-five others were rushed to different hospitals. Among them were students in their school uniform, a soldier, and children.
“The explosion was so loud as if the cathedral was to collapse,” said Merly Sandoval, a churchgoer.
“People were running toward the altar after the blast…It was like a very loud thunderstorm and the sound reverberated inside the jam-packed cathedral,” said another churchgoer Isabel Joven.
"Everybody was screaming. We saw blood coming out of those lying on the ground near the entrance of the cathedral compound," Sandoval said.
Bystanders said that prior to the bombing, they saw a man carrying two backpacks leave one at the roadside lechon (roast pig) store.
When accosted, he ran toward the main entrance of the church still carrying the other backpack. He was arrested by elements of Task Force Tugis and is now undergoing tactical interrogation.
Mayor Sema condemned the bomb attack and urged the local police to arrest the brains of the attackers.
Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo appealed to Cotabato residents for help to all bombing victims.
“We also appeal to available physicians to come to the hospital and extend medical assistance,” Bagaforo said in a radio appeal.
Most of the wounded were rushed to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center.
With reports from AFP
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I wonder what the Mindanao People's Caucus (MPC) has to say about this. This is obviously a targeted attack at Christian civilians (lechon stand, church), notwithstanding that there is a soldier among the casualties. Are we going to hear the MPC voice out their indignation against the perpetrators of this atrocity? Or are they going to put the blame on the military AGAIN?
What say you, MPC?
Inquirer Mindanao
First Posted 10:16:00 07/05/2009
COTABATO CITY, Philippines —(UPDATE) Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo has just finished reading the Sunday gospel and was about to start his homily at around 8:40 a.m. when a loud explosion ripped a roadside roasted pig store in front of the Cotabato Immaculate Conception Cathedral.
The blast at the LC Omega Letchon Haus left five persons dead, including a boy, an Army trooper, an elderly woman, and a man said to be suffering from a mental disorder, Mayor Muslimin Sema said, quoting police reports relayed to him. One of the fatalities was identified as Ruby Ramirez, a lechon vendor.
Superintendent Willie Dangane, city police chief, said the explosion at the corner of Macacua Street and Quezon Avenue happened as churchgoers were filing out after an early morning mass.
Thirty-five others were rushed to different hospitals. Among them were students in their school uniform, a soldier, and children.
“The explosion was so loud as if the cathedral was to collapse,” said Merly Sandoval, a churchgoer.
“People were running toward the altar after the blast…It was like a very loud thunderstorm and the sound reverberated inside the jam-packed cathedral,” said another churchgoer Isabel Joven.
"Everybody was screaming. We saw blood coming out of those lying on the ground near the entrance of the cathedral compound," Sandoval said.
Bystanders said that prior to the bombing, they saw a man carrying two backpacks leave one at the roadside lechon (roast pig) store.
When accosted, he ran toward the main entrance of the church still carrying the other backpack. He was arrested by elements of Task Force Tugis and is now undergoing tactical interrogation.
Mayor Sema condemned the bomb attack and urged the local police to arrest the brains of the attackers.
Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo appealed to Cotabato residents for help to all bombing victims.
“We also appeal to available physicians to come to the hospital and extend medical assistance,” Bagaforo said in a radio appeal.
Most of the wounded were rushed to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center.
With reports from AFP
---------------------------------------------
I wonder what the Mindanao People's Caucus (MPC) has to say about this. This is obviously a targeted attack at Christian civilians (lechon stand, church), notwithstanding that there is a soldier among the casualties. Are we going to hear the MPC voice out their indignation against the perpetrators of this atrocity? Or are they going to put the blame on the military AGAIN?
What say you, MPC?
Replies are closed for this discussion.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Carmelita t. Costes on
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The bombing act is indeed barbaric! Why involved innocent civilians if somebody or if a group wanted to revenge for an unknown crime or whatever? If the perpetrators have hatred with any government officals or private individuals, why will they not face the concern officals/individuals squarely? This is to avoid the innocent civilians to be victims of such barbaric acts. . . DOWN WITH THE BRAIN OF SUCH TRAGIC ATTROCITY! . . . DOWN WITH THE PERPETRATORS!
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