Bombing at S. Kudarat church pure act of terror - Cardinal Quevedo

From InterAksyon (Nov 28): Bombing at S. Kudarat church pure act of terror - Cardinal Quevedo



A SOCO team processes the scene outside the Catholic church in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat, where an IED was detonated just as people were streaming out of the church after attending the First Advent Sunday Mass. PHOTO BY BENJIE CABALLERO

Police are investigating the explosion that shocked Mass-goers Sunday just outside the Catholic church in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat, with Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo calling it "pure terrorism."

The Sultan Kudarat Province PNP is still running forensics tests on the Improvised Explosive Device that went off just as people were leaving the church after hearing the first of four Advent masses at past 6am Sunday.

Sultan Kudarat province's PNP Provincial Director, Senior Supt. Raul Supiter, declined to name those they suspect to be behind the bombing that wounded three people.

Still under observation in hospital for slight injuries are Loraine Amante Erazo, 26, and John Reynan Castamayor Escanilan, 30. The third victim, teacher Noylyn Guerrero, has just been discharged from hospital.

Reports said the IED was placed outside the compound of Our Lady of Hope Church in Barangay Saliao and was detonated just as people who heard the 6 a.m. Mass were streaming out from the church.

Police probers found black powder and concrete nails in the IED, which had a cell phone as triggering device.

Authorities remain on high alert in Sultan Kudarat.

Orlando Cardinal Quevedo condemned the incident as "pure terrorism," decrying how it was apparently meant to hurt and kill as the faithful started marking a season of love, Advent.

HERE'S THE STATEMENT OF CARDINAL QUEVEDO:

“The bombing in front of the gate of Esperanza parish church at the end of our 5:30 a.m. 1st Sunday of Advent Mass is pure terrorism.

 “Made worse because of the sacredness of the place, the sacredness of the day and the sacredness of the event that had just taken place.

 “As the leader of the Archdiocese of Cotabato I voice my strong condemnation against this act of irrational terrorism.

“It is an attack on innocent human lives.

 “It is also an attack on freedom to worship.

 “I appeal to our security and police forces to ferret out those responsible and bring them to justice. “Let us all be vigilant against acts of terrorism.”

http://interaksyon.com/article/134706/bombing-at-s--kudarat-church-pure-act-of-terror---cardinal-quevedo