Blast hits Lamitan church

ZAMBOANGA CITY – An improvised bomb exploded Friday hitting a parish church in Lamitan City, Basilan province, according to police.

Police Senior Inspector Gean Gallardo, Lamitan Police chief, said no one was reported hurt from the bomb explosion that occurred about 9p.m Thursday but brought slight damaged right at the gate outside St. Peter Parish Church along Quezon Boulevard in Barangay Maganda.

Authorities said the explosion sent residents nearby to mild panic as security forces were deployed to secure the area while explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team from the Philippine Army (PA) conducted post blast investigation to determine the type of bomb used in the attack.

Gallardo said no group has claimed responsibility and that the motive of the attack remained uncertain while the city was previously hit by bomb attacks staged by the Abu Sayyaf group, who was conducting extortion activity.

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad condemned the bombing incident on the church describing the attack as “work of evil people.”

“Let us not drag religion to let it appear that there is tension between Muslim and Catholics,” Jumoad said as the attack made him felt sad and caught him by surprised.

Jumoad did not did not comment if the incident could be a result and repercussion on the stand of some residents in Lamitan and Isabela cities against the inclusion of the places in the proposed Bangsamoro region.

The Basilan prelate appealed the people not to be carried by their emotion and urged them to continue to work for peace and harmony in the province.

“Let us respect each other because the only way to peace is through peaceful ways. I ask all people to pray more so that on this season of lent the lord will guide our feet into the way of peace,” Jumoad said.