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The Mindanao bombings was a series of seemingly unrelated bomb attacks that took place on 4, 5, and July 7, 2009 in the towns of Datu Piang and Jolo, and the cities of Cotabato and Iligan in Mindanao, Philippines. The bombings killed around 7 people and injured at least 66. The Armed Forces of the Philippines has blamed several militant organizations active in Mindanao, such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Abu Sayyaf, and Jemaah Islamiyah. The Roman Catholic Church and its leader Pope Benedict XVI condemned the initial attack. A statement from the MILF said the attack was carried out by "heartless people" and called for an independent investigation to determine who was responsible. They also said, "there's no religious conflict in the south" and "we're fighting for our right of self-determination".〔 A press secretary to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed confidence that the bombing would not collapse peace negotiations between the government and the MILF. Several members of the opposition said that these attacks may be related to a possible plan by the government to place the country in emergency rule, alluding to the days of Martial Law under former president Ferdinand Marcos. Others have said they may be in preparation to heighten security amid the State of the Nation Address by Arroyo, which may restrict demonstrations and protest. The government rejected these claims and said they were assessing the situation. Security was increased in Metro Manila, the seat of government, and in other areas of the country, particularly Mindanao. A day after the incidents, the UN Development Program, meanwhile, announced it was suspending its operations for refugees in the south. ==Datu Piang and Cotabato== The night before the Mindanao attacks, a bomb exploded in the nearby town of Datu Piang.〔 At approximately 8:50 a.m. in Cotabato City, a bomb exploded near a lechón food stall, across the street from the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception during Sunday Mass as a military truck drove by, killing five people and injuring up to 55 more.〔 〕 〔 〕 The dead included at least one member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit, a street food vendor, and a three-year-old boy.〔 According to initial police reports, two soldiers standing guard near the cathedral were killed by the blast.〔〔〔 Five soldiers were injured in the explosion.〔 A sixth victim, an injured infant, died later in hospital. According to Philippine Army spokesman Colonel Jonathan Ponce, the bomb consisted of a mortar shell and was detonated remotely using a mobile telephone.〔 Witnesses reported that the cathedral did not sustain significant damage.〔 〕 Shortly after the attack, security forces arrested a man suspected of planting the bomb.〔 He was arrested while carrying a second device into the cathedral, according to police.〔 〕 The military blamed the bombing on rogue elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF),〔 〕〔 a secessionist Islamic organization active in the southern Philippines. Ponce said, "The rebels are getting desperate and they are no longer choosing their targets. They are now attacking even places of worship."〔 MILF leader Mohaqher Iqbal denied that the militant group carried out the attack, stating:〔 "There's no religious conflict in the south (the Philippines ). We're fighting for our right of self-determination."〔 The attack drew condemnation from the Roman Catholic Churchincluding from its leader Pope Benedict XVIPhilippine government officials, and the MILF.〔〔〔 〕 Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cotabato, said the bombing was "not just a crime, () a sacrilege" and called for prayer "for the conversion of the bombers".〔 A spokesperson for the MILF, Eid Kabalu, condemned the attack by "heartless people" and called for an independent investigation to determine who was responsible.〔 Cerge Remonde, press secretary to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, expressed confidence that the bombing would not collapse peace negotiations between the government and the MILF.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「2009 Mindanao bombings」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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