2 dead, 3 hurt in Zambo mosque blast

By ASA T. MADALE

January 30, 2019

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Another explosion in a religious place of worship happened shortly after midnight in a coastal part of this city which killed two worshippers and injured three others.

Senior Supt. Thomas Joseph Martir, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) director, disclosed that the incident happened at the Maharlika mosque in Sitio Logoy Diutay, Barangay Talon-Talon, this city at about 12:20 a.m. Wednesday.

Martir identified the two fatalities as Hadji Sattal Bato, 47, of Barangay Marketsite, Isabela City; and, Rex Habil, 46, a councilor in Barangay Matatag, Lamitan City.

He said wounded were Palson Asgali, 44; Alnizkar Sabbaha, 30; and Jikilani Albani, 60. They were rushed to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command, told reporters regarding the Sunday’s Jolo Cathedral blast that they are running after the perpetrators to give justice to the families of the victims.

Besana elaborated that this might be revenge of their leader who was killed during military operation previously in the hinterland of Sulu.

He discounted reports that the recent Jolo incident was done by a suicide bomber, adding "walang bomber nga nakadapa para lang pasabogin ang bomba" (No suicide bomber entering inside the church laying down just to explode the bomb). The CCTV footage will give us a clear image as to the incident happened, he said.

“Our task now is to normalize Jolo, Sulu, adding the town is greatly contributing to our economic growth as per reports submitted to us by the local government units,” Besana said.

“This is not a conflict about religion, in fact, there are victims who are Muslims also, the Local government units in this region is supporting us in the implementation of Martial Law, they are law-abiding citizens,” Col Besana stressed. (ATM/RSP)