Sixteen people were hurt in a grenade attack at a Catholic Church in Midsayap on Christmas Eve.

Philstar reported:

Sixteen were hurt in a grenade explosion in the vicinity of a Catholic church in Midsayap town at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, as people were attending a mass to celebrate Christmas.

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Investigators said two men on a motorcycle lobbed the grenade at the entrance of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño. Father Jay Virador of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate was then giving communion to churchgoers.

Acting Gov. Shirlyn Macasarte condemned the attack as she called on residents to help probers identify the culprits and on the police to build an airtight case.

President Duterte reportedly visited the town for a quick briefing with local officials. Several FM stations in the province reported that the Chief Executive also inspected the church surroundings.

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Some residents posted on Facebook photos of the presidential chopper hovering over the town proper past 3 p.m. yesterday.

Supt. Romeo Galgo Jr., spokesman for the Regional Police Office-12 based in General Santos City, said one of the victims was SPO4 Johnny Caballero, a member of the Midsayap municipal police.