The first text message I got yesterday morning was from a friend who forwarded a report from his friend in Cotabato City about a bomb that exploded in front of the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral in that city.
News reports later said that four were killed while some 50 people were injured. Three of the fatalities were identified namely Ruby Ramirez, 43, of Philippine Trade, Barangay Bulalo in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, and owner of the lechon house where the bomb was planted; Prince Salem Cang Diaz, grand son of Patricio Diaz, former editor-in-chief of The Mindanao Cross, a local paper based in Cotabato City; Paulo Kahar.
Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Jess Dureza said “This is not an isolated case” referring to a series of bombings the past weeks. He called yesterday’s grim incident “murderous act of insanity” and “cowardly act of treachery and violence.”