Ahlul Bayt News Agency (ABNA.ir), The Philippines- Manuel Pautin – an Islamic Imam of a Masjid (Mosque) in Sitio Tinibtiban, Barangat Batulwan of Pikit Town, North Cotobato – was martyred as a grenade was hurled inside the Masjid where he used to lead daily prayer.
The grenade attack occurred on Sunday (08/5/2010) around 7:15 pm of local time when Manuel Pautin was delivering a public sermon and preaching at the Masjid.
Insp. Bernard Tayong, chief of Pikit police, has later confirmed that the Imam ‘martyred’ on the spot because of heavy injuries in different parts of his body.
On the same time, nine other Muslims were wounded following the Sunday blind grenade attack.
The nine people were identified as Abdullah Muhammad Ali (28), Ansari Edris (38), Solaiman Kalim (64), Ibrahim Badrudin (67), Kison Palalisan (72), Datukan Akmad (40), Sindatuk Sangkay (52), Johny Oboy Matalam (50), and Norodin Hamsa (48).
Those Muslim elders were being hospitalized at the Cruzado Hospital in Kabacan as well as at the Kabacan Medical Specialist Hospital near the center of Kabacan.
One who is suffering from bad injured, Matalam, was transferred to the Cotobato Regional and Medical Center for further medical treatment.
The investigation is on the progress by the Explosives and Ordinance Disposal Team of the 6th Infantry Division.
Local police office has so far said the motive remains unknown, but local residents believed the attack ‘has something to do’ with the coming of national and local elections.
Located in Muslim populated area of Mindanao, North Cotobato is home for two major religions, Islam and Roman Catholicism.
Tension has been in existence amongst the Muslims and the government following ceaseless discrimination from the central government towards some Muslims’ rights.
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