English Wall

Terror bomb hits cathedral in Philippines

Manila, Apr. 14, 2008  -
Terrorists linked with Al Qaida are suspected of organizing a Sunday bomb attack on a Catholic cathedral in the Philippines.

No one was injured by an explosive device that was detonated in the early morning hours outside the cathedral of Zamboanga. Police said that the blast, along with a companion bombing at a downtown office building, was orchestrated by the Abu Sayyaf organization, a Muslim terrorist group that is active in the southern Philippines and tied to the global Al Qaida network.

Archbishop Romulo Valles of Zamboanga asked for prayers for peace in the region, while public officials placed the city on a high security alert.

The bombing-- which took place before the faithful began to gather for Sunday Mass-- damaged a wall and gate outside the cathedral, but left the building intact. Police believe that the attack was designed to cause fear rather than take lives. News by - CWNews.com