UCCP condemns attack on Pikit church

The United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) on Thursday condemned the bombing of one of its churches in Mindanao. 

 

Two people were killed and three others were injured in a grenade blast in a church in Pikit, Cotabato early Wednesday evening. 

 

According to the initial investigation, two men riding in tandem on a motorcycle fired an M203 grenade at the UCCP church in Barangay Poblacion in Pikit, the statement said. 

 

The head of the UCCP in Pikit, Pastor Jerry Sanchez, said the attack happened at 7:30 p.m. during a midweek service. There were about 40 churchgoers when it happened. 

 

"No circumstance or reason can justify such deplorable act on a house of worship leading to the death and injury of worshippers," UCCP's general secretary Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza said.

 

He also urged the authorities to conduct a speedy investigation of the incident. 

 

Pikit PNP chief Senior Inspector Mautin Pangandigan said that police still had no idea on the motive behind the act and the identity of the suspects. He confirmed that the grenade was really intended for the UCCP church as the explosive was fired toward its direction. 

 

Pikit PNP, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and the Scene of the Crime Operatives are conducting their post-blast investigation. 

 

“We appeal to would-be witnesses to come (out) into the open to give justice to the family of the victims,” Pangandigan said. 

 

Marigza also reminded UCCP members to remain sober yet vigilant.

"Even as we press for justice, let us not do anything that will further escalate the violence," Marigza said. —Trisha Macas/NB, GMA News