Nine injured in Zambo grenade blast

[Updated on 21Aug08 14:43 to change figure of wounded to nine and insert photos]

A grenade blast in the downtown area wounds nine commuters and threw residents in panic, sending the business district and shopping malls to close before 7 pm in Zamboanga City on Wednesday night.

Witnesses said that two motorcycle riding men lobbed the MK II handgrenade infront of the Big V’s shopping store and Marcian Business hotel along Mayor Cesar Climaco Street at around 6:45pm.

Only four of seven wounded residents who were rushed to the Zamboanga City Medical Center, were identified as Jomanio Harum, Roy Boriles, Bernardo Bago and Christian Inferlan. The additional two wounded were rushed to the Western Mindanao Medical Center and Cuidad Medical hospital. They all suffered minor injuries and will be sent home after treatment.

Task Force Zamboanga commander Col. Santiago Baluyot said they still have to investigate if the blast was connected to the latest Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebel attacks in north Cotabato and Lanao provinces where they killed and hacked innocent civilians, burned houses and vehicles.

“Yes, its just a grenade blast but the effect of fear and panic is felt by the million of residents in the city,” city councilor Kim Elago exclaimed after seeing the area where the grenade exploded.

Bomb experts carefully picked evidences from the road and the walls of the building where some of the grenade shrapnels were found. The glass door of the hotel was damaged. A shrapnel riddled tricycle and a motorcycle were left in the scene.

A web of checkpoints manned by military and police forces were set-up in strategic points of entry.

The city shot up the alert level to red recently following threats of attacks from rebels.

NUJP-Zambasulta joins national day of mourning for media

[At 11am on 20Aug08, members of the NUJP-Zambasulta, RMN reporters and staff and other media in Zamboanga City gathered together for a prayer infront of the RMN radio station along Pilar Street. After which, the NUJP statement was read by Julie Alipala. Here is the statement:]

NUJP STATEMENT

Picking up a pen or clicking a camera is as dangerous as the sound of a gunshot.

Statistics speak for itself as we have 97 cases of media killing since 1986 to present.

Hardly we hear and witness positive resolution to the case, if there are any, not a single mastermind to the crimes put to jail.

Speaking or writing the truth in the face of power is also dangerous.

As we have countless reports of harassment, intimidation and threats.

The recent is that of Al Jacinto, managing the Mindanao Examiner and filing report to GMAnews website.

While we hear all camps claiming of Press Freedom, single hurting word or critical appreciation of certain situation committed by some people in government or otherwise may causes shame, anxiety, threat or death to a journalist.

As three media personalities like Dennis Cuesta, Martin Roxas and Anjo Julia finally laid to rest, the struggle for Press Freedom is evident not just inside the newsroom, or in a coverage or along the streets.

The quest for justice and Press Freedom continue.

[After the statement, we walked towards the St. Joseph Church along Nunez Street to offer mass.]