Maguindanao gov offers to give reward for suspects in mosque grenade attack

From the Philippine News Agency (May 1): Maguindanao gov offers to give reward for suspects in mosque grenade attack

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu today offered reward money for any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects in the Grand Mosque grenade attack in Talayan, Maguindanao.

“We are ready to raise the amount so justice will be served to the victims,” Mangudadatu told reporters of the April 21 bombing of a mosque in Talayan town that injured members of the town’s political family.

He, however, did not say how much is the bounty.

In the grenade attack that came after the Friday congregational prayer, Mayor Nathaniel Midtimbang of Datu Anggal Midtimbang town was injured, including his father, Datu Ali Midtimbang, former mayor of Talayan.

Six others, including two police escorts of the town mayor, were also injured.

Police said two men on board a motorbike tossed two hand grenades as the victims and other participants to the Friday prayer were emerging from the Mosque located along the national highway fronting the Talayan town hall.

The second grenade did not explode.

Police said the motive of the attack remained unknown.

The elder Midtimbang ran but lost to Mangudadatu in last year’s gubernatorial elections.

Mangudadatu stressed that he already reconciled with the Midtimbangs and his other political opponents after he was proclaimed.

Senior Supt. Agustin Tello, Maguindanao provincial police director, said responding policemen have recovered a motorbike abandoned along a dirt road leading to Datu Anggal Midtimbang town.

Tello said the suspects abandoned the motorbike and transferred to a waiting white Toyota Innova and sped away.

The police took custody of the motorcycle, he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984051