(4th UPDATE) 2 killed, 3 hurt in Pikit UCCP Church grenade attack

PIKIT, North
Cotabato – A government nurse and a teacher werekilled while three other churchgoers of United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP)were
hurt when a rifle grenade fired from a distance exploded insideWednesday night.

Killed were Felomina Ferolin, 54, hospital head nurse of Pagalungan, Maguindanao and teacher
Gina Cabilona, 39, who died from shrapnel injuries.

Senior
Inspector Mautin Pangandigan, Pikit police chief, said also wounded were teacher
Virginia Manolid, 63, businessman Jeremias Dandan, 60 and Engr. Jerome Dandan,
28, also a businessman.

Pangandigan
told DXMS-Radyo Bida the victims were all attending a mid-week prayer meeting inside
the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) along Vidal Cabanog
Street, Barangay Poblacion, headed by Pastor Jerry Sanchez, when an M-79 rifle
grenade landed and exploded inside the Church.

The incident
occurred at about 7:35 p.m. a few meters away from Pikit Central Elementary
School.

Ferolin was
rushed to a Midsayap hospital but was declared dead on arrival while Cabilona died in Pikit hospital.

Pangandigan
said the prayer meeting was about to end as one of the participants was giving
a thanksgiving message when the explosion occurred.

We are still
unsure of the motive, we are still investigating,” he said, adding that none
among the congregation members have seen the suspects.

Pastor Sanchez
told DXND Radyo Bida said he and the churchgoers have no idea they were to be
attacked.The grenade landed
inside the Church and exploded close to Ferolin, Cabilona and Manolid who were
all sitting at the rear side of the Church.

We have no
idea why this thing happened. We condemn this act,” Sanchez said, adding that
UCCP has been active in promoting peace in the community.

We pray that
no similar incident will happen in the future in Pikit,” he said.

The explosion
damaged the Church pews and glass panes.

Police
recovered an empty shell of 40mm grenade outside the Church.