Asia-Pacific News

Bomb explodes in church in southern Philippines, wounds 11 (Roundup)

Dec 25, 2010, 8:34 GMT

Manila - A bomb exploded Saturday during Christmas Day mass at a Catholic church in the southern Philippines, wounding 11 people, the military and police said.

The priest and 10 churchgoers were hurt in the blast at the chapel of a police camp on Jolo island, 1,000 kilometres south of Manila, police said.

Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, a regional military spokesman, said the bomb was planted on the roof of the chapel, damaging the steel beam and the ceiling during the blast.

Police said all the injured victims were out of danger, but one woman has remained in hospital for observation.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda condemned the attack, saying it 'violates the basic tenets of respect and peace of all who hold their faith dear.'

'This assault on peace cannot be justified on political or religious grounds,' he added.

Police had no suspects, but Jolo is a known lair of al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf rebels, who have been blamed for deadly terrorist attacks in the Philippines.