2 women hurt after grenade thrown into Cotabato City chapel explodes

Two women were injured after a grenade thrown into a chapel in Barangay Rosary Heights 3, Cotabato City exploded shortly before midday on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

The women, 40 years old and 65 years old, were attending a fellowship at the chapel when the grenade went off. They were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Police said only a part of the M26 fragmentation grenade exploded.

“Nagkaroon lang siya ng low order of detonation. Hindi lahat sumabog yung kabuoang granada. Posibleng may mamatay kung nagkaroon ng high order of detonation. Minor lang ang injuries ng dalawang biktima,” Cotabato City Police Office Director Colonel Querubin Manalang Jr. said.

CCTV footage near the area showed a man on board a motorcycle throwing the grenade into the chapel.

Police have identified the suspect but did not disclose the name. He is facing frustrated murder charges.

“Lalaki, naka-single motorcycle na walang plaka, naka-mask, puting mask pero kita ang mukha niya, dark na damit. Merong tao doon sa area na nakilala siya, nakita siya na naghagis and positively identified the suspect,” Manalang said.

Authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the incident. —GMA Regional TV