Seven people were killed and 127 injured by a grenade thrown by a group of irate teenagers during a church concert in the southern Philippines, police said on Thursday. The young men, believed to be intoxicated, threw the grenade at a large crowd late on Wednesday after being barred from mounting the stage and joining the band, Brothers and Friends.
Two of the suspects were detained after the attack, including the alleged grenade-thrower, said police senior superintendent Sangkala Dampac. The young men were heard uttering threats at the master of ceremonies who later fled the packed grounds of the Roman Catholic church, fearing for his life, Dampac said.
Cotabato military commander Colonel Essel Soriano said one of the suspects was overheard saying "something will blow up here" after their demand was turned down.
Five minutes later, a grenade ripped through the area, killing four people. Three others later died in hospitals. Dampac listed 127 other casualties who either had shrapnel injuries or were injured in the stampede that followed the blast. One of the detained suspects was also injured.
The victims were mostly townspeople gathered on the grounds of the church in Cotabato city for festivities in honour of the city's patron saint.
Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo denounced the attack as an "unconscionable crime against the lives of innocent people, Muslims and Christians, gathered at the church grounds." He called for a quick and thorough investigation from authorities.
Bureau Report