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2 dead, 3 wounded in grenade blast at Pikit, Cotabato church


(Updated 10:47 a.m.) Two people were killed and three others were injured in a grenade blast at a church in the town of Pikit in Cotabato province early Wednesday evening, police and military officials said Thursday.
 
Dead on arrival at the Midsayap community hospital was Felomina Nacario Ferolin, who works as a head nurse at the Pagalungan Municipal Health Office in Maguindanao, Senior Inspector Aldrin Gonzales said in a text message sent to the news media.
 
Pastor Jerry Sanchez, head pastor of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) church in Barangay Poblacion in Pikit, confirmed the death of Ferolin, 54, and their member Gina Cabiluna, 39, a public school teacher. 

Col. Dick Hermoso, spokesman of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, said Cabulina died while undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
 
Senior Inspector Gonzales said the explosive device, a 40mm projectile, blew up inside the said UCCP church at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
 
Sanchez said there was an ongoing worship service attended by about 40 members when the explosion occurred.
 
The Central Mindanao police spokesman said the wounded are Virginia Manolid, Jeremias Dandan and Jerome Dandan and they were brought to hospital for treatment.
 
Manolid is in critical condition, according to Tahira Kalantongan, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer, who also said the injured were brought to different hospitals in Pikit, Kidapawan City and nearby Midsayap town.
 
Manolid was brought to the Intensive Care Unit of the Kidapawan Doctors' Hospital Inc. in Kidapawan City.
 
Father and son Jeremias and Jerome Dandan are now safe and being given medical attention at the KDCI.
 
M203 grenade
 
Senior Inspector Mautin Pangandigan, Pikit PNP chief, confirmed that an M203 grenade was used by the suspects based on evidence recovered at the blast site.

Hermoso said the suspects were on a motorcycle at the time of the attack. 
 
Pangandigan said the explosive was intended for the UCCP Church as it was fired toward the said direction.
 
Pangandigan said their office is still facing a blank wall as to the motive and the identity of the suspects.
 
“We appeal to would-be witnesses to come (out) into the open to give justice to the family of the victims,” Pangandigan.
 
Sanchez said they have not received any threat. He was surprised that the church became a vulnerable target of some lawless elements.
 
“Perhaps our faith is being tested. We are the friendliest people in Pikit and even participate in every activity in our town,” Sanchez told dxND Radyo Bida in Kidapawan City.
 
Pikit PNP, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) are conducting their post-blast investigation.
 
Pikit police and reinforcements from the regional police force were deployed to Pikit to secure the town. —With a report from Williamor Magbanua/ELR/KG/RSJ, GMA News
 
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