2 killed, 3 injured in Zamboanga City mosque attack

The police conduct an investigation into the bombing of a mosque in Zamboanga City early Wednesday morning. PHOTO BY Michael Gregorio, Zamboanga Quick Response System

Two people were killed while three others were wounded in an early morning grenade attack at a Zamboanga City mosque on Wednesday, according to GMA News stringer Jayvee Francisco's report on Unang Balita.

According to the city's police office, the attack at the Logoy Diutay, Barangay Talon-Talon mosque took place at 12:20 a.m.

Senator Richard Gordon, who is also chairman and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross, meanwhile, said two Red Cross teams had responded to the incident.

Red Cross first aid teams & ambulance at site of grenade blast ministering to 3 wounded. Mosque at Brgy. talon talon, zamboanga City, near the Home for the elderly of DSWD

— Richard J. Gordon (@DickGordonDG) January 29, 2019

The wounded individuals were brought to the Zamboanga City Medical Center for treatment.

The victims are preachers from Lamitan and Isabela towns in Basilan who were in the city to conduct preaching activities.

They were asleep inside the mosque as part of preparations for a scheduled early morning prayer when the incident happened.

The police are conducting an investigation to determine the motive of the bombing and if there were threats or squabbles that involved the victims.

For now, police in Zamboanga City are on full alert status, and the Task Force Zamboanga has set up checkpoints in several areas in the city while foot patrols have been deployed. — DVM/BAP, GMA News