Grenade attack on mosque claims two lives in restive southern Philippines

At least two people have lost their lives when unidentified assailants hurled a grenade at a mosque in the troubled southern Philippines, just days after twin bomb blasts at a Roman Catholic cathedral killed nearly two dozen people and wounded many more.

At least two people have lost their lives when unidentified assailants hurled a grenade at a mosque in the troubled southern Philippines, just days after twin bomb blasts at a Roman Catholic cathedral killed nearly two dozen people and wounded many more.

Regional military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana said the attack took place in Zamboanga City early on Wednesday as a grenade was lobbed inside a mosque, killing two persons and wounding another four.

The victims were sleeping inside the mosque at the time of the attack.

The grenade attack drew immediate condemnation from authorities.

“There is no redeeming such blasphemous murder. It is the highest form of cowardice and obscenity to attack people who at prayer,” regional leader in the insurgency-plagued island of Mindanao, Mujiv Hataman, said. “We call on people of all faiths… to come together to pray for peace.”

On Sunday, a bomb attack against the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on the remote and restive island of Jolo killed at least 20 people and wounded more than 100 during a mass.