Jolo (AsiaNews) – Soldiers based in Jolo discovered two bombs placed near the cathedral, which for months has been under close surveillance for fear of attacks. One bomb exploded when soldiers tried to disarm it; the other was easily diffused.

Both explosive devices were found on Dec. 26 along the street leading to Notre Dame College, the catholic school next to the bishop's residence and were considered to be of a rather crude making.

When the explosions occurred, hundreds of Badjaos were gathered inside the school where the parish community was distributing food rations. The Badjaos are a group considered among the country's poorest people. Once upon a time they had their own homes and land, but with the expansion of the Muslims, they were pushed to live in dwellings built on stilts along the seaside.

Life for the Badjaos community is hard. One woman commented to AsiaNews: "On one hand, we have the Tausug (Jolo's Muslim inhabitants) and on the other, pirates who kill our men."    

The tradition of donating food to the Badjaos dates back to the times of Msgr. Benjamin de Jesus, Jolo's first bishop who was assassinated in Feb. 1997.

The city of Jolo has been for some years the stage for bloody conflicts, being the general headquarters for the Abu Sayyaf terrorist organization –responsible for many kidnappings and killings. Currently, some Christians have been abducted, one of which was the director of the Base Community for a ransom of 2 million pesos (36 thousand US dollars).  (SE)

• philippines
• catholic
• church
• attacks
• abu
• sayyaf
• terrorism
• poverty