COTABATO CITY鈥擳he grenade explosion that left a police officer and 11 others injured outside a Catholic church in Midsayap, North Cotabato, on Christmas Eve was meant for the police, a local official said.
Midsayap Mayor Romeo Ara帽a told reporters that the main target of the attack by two men riding a motorcycle were the police officers who were part of the security during the Christmas Eve Mass.
鈥淚f it were civilians, the grenade could have been lobbed in populated areas like the plaza or the Church or the market,鈥� Ara帽a said, 鈥淏ut it was thrown under a parked police car.鈥�
Ara帽a quoted Supt. Bernard Tayong, Midsayap town police chief, as saying they have been receiving threats after successful antidrug operations.
鈥淐ontinue to be vigilant,鈥� Ara帽a told residents. 鈥淏e alert and inform the police about suspicious persons or baggages.鈥�
Leg injuries
SPO4 Johnny Caballero, 41, team leader of a police unit securing the perimeter of Sto. Nino Parish Church, was near the police car when the fragmentation grenade was thrown rolled under the vehicle. He suffered leg injuries.
Eleven others who were wounded, including an elderly woman, had been rushed to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center.
Fr. Jay Virador of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, a cocelebrant in the Mass, said the blast occurred at 9:45 p.m. some 30 meters from the main entrance of the church where some people were also standing.
Virador said communion was going on when the blast occurred, sending people ducking for cover.
Commotion
A commotion followed inside the church after the blast when someone yelled about finding a suspicious-looking bag, sending people rushing out of the church.
鈥淭he Mass was abruptly ended,鈥� said Virador. 鈥淧eople hurriedly left the church,鈥� he added.
鈥淲e are saddened by this,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are supposed to be spreading love and peace on Christmas Day.鈥�
Ara帽a condemned the attack, saying it could be in retaliation for the police鈥檚 successful antidrug operations.
A village chair escaped an antidrug operation in November, but government forces recovered high powered firearms, including machine guns and assault rifles.
Ara帽a said after that operation, police have been receiving threats through text messages warning of retaliation.
Virador condemned the attack and urged parishioners to remain calm and continue praying amid violence.
Muslims have also condemned the grenade attack. 鈥�EDWIN FERNANDEZ AND NASH B. MAULANA