Grenade explodes outside church in southern Philippines

DATU PIANG (UCAN): A grenade exploded outside St. Therese Parish Church in the southern Philippine town of Datu Piang, Maguindanao province, on October 14, a military report said.

Witnesses said an unidentified man, suspected to be a member of a local terrorist group, lobbed the grenade a few metres from the entrance of the church.

Dante Gania, a lieutentant colonel in the Philipine Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters could have been behind the grenade attack.

“Those behind the attack wanted to sow fear,” he said, noting that “it was not meant to hurt parishioners given the timing of the attack.”

He said soldiers were on a security patrol near the church when the grenade exploded.

Father Clifford Baira, director of the Social Action Centre of the Archdiocese of Cotabato, said they still have no idea as to the motive of the attack.

In June 2008, unknown men burned the previous church building that was then built mostly from light materials.

It was reconstructed with donations from both Muslim and Christian residents. The new church bulding was inaugurated on 3 October 2010.

Uniquely incorporated into the church are more than a dozen 105mm mortar shells that adorn the posts and ceilings as chandeliers, lampstands, and candleholders.

The parish of St. Therese was established in January 1955 in the predominantly Muslim town of Datu Piang.