Church blast kills four in Mindanao
14:35, 6 July 2009
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines: At least 4 people were killed and about three dozens wounded in a bomb attack Sunday near a Catholic church in Cotabato City in the southern Philippines, reports said.
The Catholic Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation said the bomb exploded at around 8.20 a.m. near restaurants and stalls selling roasted pigs outside the church in downtown Cotabato, also home to minority Muslims.
An army vehicle passing near the church was also hit by shrapnel from the explosion largely blamed by the military to Muslim separatist rebels.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has denied it was behind the blast and condemned the attack, saying, it was against Islamic principles.
"We condemn this attack against innocent civilians, against the Church. This is against Islamic principles and against humanity," said Eid Kabalu, a senior MILF leader.