ARMM gov: Zamboanga mosque blast ‘highest form of cowardice, obscenity’
MANILA, Philippines — The governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao condemned the grenade attack on a mosque in Zamboanga City that killed two people and wounded four others.
The grenade attack tore through the building as the victims, who were Muslim preachers, were sleeping in the pre-dawn darkness.
“There is no redeeming such blasphemous murder. It is the highest form of cowardice and obscenity to attack people who are at prayer,” ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said in a statement Wednesday.
He urged the authorities to thoroughly investigate the attack, and identify and prosecute the perpetrators.
“The goal of terrorism is to sow fear and confusion. We should not allow this to happen. We call on all people of faith—whatever their chosen faith is—to come together in prayer for peace. We must stand united against the terrorists who would divide us and, thus, destroy all that we are working to build and establish our communities,” the regional leader said.
Zamboanga City is outside the ARMM and had strongly opposed inclusion in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao despite it not being included in the proposed region's core territory.
The blast in Zamboanga City took place few days after a cathedral bombing in Jolo, Sulu that killed 21 individuals and wounded 100 others.
The explosions in Zamboanga City and Jolo, Sulu happened after the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which creates the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao as a replacement to the ARMM. — Gaea Katreena Cabico with reports from Agence France-Presse
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