ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/06 May) — The Iligan City Disaster and Rehabilitation Coordination Center (ICDRCC), a group comprising more than 20 civil society organizations, have vehemently condemned Saturday night’s blast as “an evil act of a savage person or group,” coming as it did while the city is still recuperating from the devastation brought about by the killer floods unleasthed yphoon Sendong.
Atty Manny Salibay, chair of ICDRCC, called on sectors to assist the police and the military to find the culprits of the blast that killed two persons and injured at least 30 others, and to help attend to the needs of the injured and the relatives of the dead.
“We will not be terrified by this act of terrorism. God will be with us,” the group said in a statement.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) also condemned the bombing.
Robert Maulana, a member of the MILF peace panel said the bombing was “an act of violent insanity that killed and injured people.”
“We condole with the families of the innocent victims. While the criminals who committed this heinous act have not yet been identified nor the motive behind this insanity determined, it would be good for everyone, especially the local media, to remain sensible and sober instead of indulging in wild speculations,” Maulana said.
“We pray to all victims and the families who lost a loved one. We hope that authorities will find out the truth behind the act and that justice be served to all victims, even if it would be uneasy,” said Regina Antequisa, executive director of Ecoweb Inc..
Two persons were killed while 30 others were wounded when a grenade was lobbed by a suspect in front of El Centro KTV bar and Loys Pharmacy at around 7:57 p.m. Saturday.
Killed were Jhonel Dumalagan, a mango vendor and Jay Jangad, 21, a resident of Baranagy Hinaplanon.
Iligan City police chief Celso Regencia said the grenade was lobbed from a passing van.
The bar, located at the heart of the city, is frequented by students and residents who want to hang out for beer and drinks while listening to a live band. Shrapnels struck the neighboring Western Union office, an internet café and a cake store.
The police and Mayor Lawrence Cruz rushed to the scene.
Alonto appealed to the media not to jump to conclusions.
“Some local media people reportedly jumped to conclusion that Maranaos are responsible for this crime. Some say spoilers who oppose the MILF-GPH peace negotiations. If we allow the imagination to run wild, there would be a wide range of theories that would include the ridiculous and the absurd to speculate on. For all you know, this could be a business rivalry or a personal grudge,” he said.
“Media should not go into stereotyping or profiling Moros as the culprits. Evil is evil and it possesses anyone whether Christian or Muslim, Moro or Filipino. It has to be underscored, nonetheless, that it is this kind of insane act that Islam condemns,” Maulana said.
Undergoing medication at the city hospital are are Liezl Lubguban from Lugait; Diane Gacus, 17; Dawn Mary Christine Gacus, 19; Danilo Gabrinab; Dennis Corvera; Rey Soong, Sunny Marquez Mendez Jr., Helmelita Ibarap, 27; Jenifie De Los Santos, 29; Abdul Gafar Maruhom, 25; Eric Salcedo, 39; Krystel Cabahug, Aileen Almacen, Jansy Dumalagan, Marylou Aligno, Joel Abriol, Jay Siton, 23; Albert Gongub and Rick Maniego.
Soong, a teacher of an elementary school of Barangay Rogongon is in critical condition.
Almacen was not physically injured but is in a state of shock.
Confined at Dr. Uy Hospital are Michael San Felipe Gonzales, 19; Sheralyn Jurban Repueto, 29; and Maribelle Paquingan Cabanlit, 25.
Others who were wounded but were sent home after treatment were Aliah Barami, Aldren Magsayo, Laila Lamila Candog, Earl Russel Rapanan Revelo, Louie Jay Tanjo, Mahali Rose Tanjo and Princess Irese Tanjo.
John Paul Ponce, another victim, is confined at Mercy Hostal.
The bombing incident happened after a day-long Pipol Power Protest at the city initiated by the civil society and the local government to oppose the sale of Agus and Pulangi hydro complex.
The campaign aimed at pressuring President Benigno Aquino not to sell Agus Pulangui to private interests by mobilizing the people to “buy” the Agus Pulangui Hydropower Complex themselves.
“Ask for a pledge from each Mindanaon so that a total of one billion pesos is collected for a seed fund. Since the population of Mindanao (women, men and children) is projected as 21 million, each one should pledge at least P50 to be able to total PhP 1 billion, ” said Irene Santiago of the Mindanao Commission on Women, campaign organizer.
(reports from Violeta M. Gloria/MindaNews)
