5 dead, 35 hurt by explosion outside Philippine church (1st Lead)

Jul 5, 2009, 3:46 GMT

   Cotabato City, Philippines - Five people were killed and 35 wounded when a homemade bomb exploded outside a Catholic cathedral in a southern Philippine city on Sunday, officials said.

   The blast occurred as churchgoers packed the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral in Cotabato City, 960 kilometres south of Manila, for morning Mass.

   Police Senior Superintendent Willie Dangane said Archbishop Orlando Quevedo had just finished reading the gospel and was about to start his homily when the loud explosion happened.

   Dangane said a boy and an army trooper were among the five killed in the explosion.

   'The explosion was so loud, it was as if the cathedral was going to collapse,' churchgoer Merly Sandoval said. 'People were running toward the altar after the blast.'

   'Everybody was screaming,' she added. 'We saw blood from those lying on the ground near the entrance of the cathedral compound.'

   Cotabato City Mayor Muslimen Sema was furious over the bombing.

   'Let us work together to uncover the people behind this evil scheme that wish us divided,' he said.

   Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo appealed for assistance to the wounded victims, who were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

   'We appeal to available physicians to come to the hospitals and extend medical assistance,' he said.

   Authorities have not yet identified suspects in the bombing, but the military has been on alert against attacks by Muslim rebels amid an offensive against them in the area.