President Duterte will shoulder the hospital bills of the victims of the Christmas Eve church bombing in Midsayap, North Cotabato that left at least 20 persons wounded.

Duterte visited survivors of the blast at the Anecito T. Pesante Sr. Memorial Hospital Sunday afternoon, where three victims are confined. Two other blast victims are recovering at the Cotabato Regional Medical Center while another is confined in Southern Philippines Medical Center, Malacañang said in a statement.

Twelve of the injured persons are outpatients.

Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo condemned the violent attack that occurred as people were attending a mass to celebrate Christmas.

In a statement, Quevedo said, “I condemn this violent act against the innocent as a crime that cries out to heaven, a crime that every religion of love and peace must condemn.”

“As chief shepherd of the flock, my heart reaches out with love and compassion to our parishioners wounded in the bombing outside the church and shrine of Señor Sto Niño Midsayap before the Holy Mass of Christmas ended. What was a sacred celebration of joy and thanksgiving ended in tragedy and sorrow,” added Quevedo.

He is hoping that those behind the grenade blast would be brought to justice.

“May the heartless perpetrators be quickly identified and brought to justice. May the victims and their families find strength and comfort in the Christ Child and in the Blessed Virgin Mary his mother as well as ours,” he added.

Muslim leaders in the adjoining Maguindanao and North Cotabato provinces also condemned the attack.

A total of 15 survivors were present at the Pesante Memorial Hospital during Duterte’s Christmas Day visit. Each of them received envelopes containing an undisclosed amount of financial assistance from the President.

“The Chief Executive also promised the survivors full payment to the hospital and outpatient expenses,” a Malacañang statement released Sunday night read.

Those who received financial aid from the President were Arnel del Rio Silvano, Jeanelyn del Rio Silvano, Clint John del Rio Silvano, Russel Palma Jarapan, Kent Steven Pacquiao, Jonel Orquiola, Arissean Gabrielle Bagot, Little Joy Singco, Princess Nicole Cadondoy, Ejimar Bargaso Loquis, SPO4 Johnny Caballero, Phtricia Rosete and confined patients Ronaldo Ventura Celis, Cheyser Mae Macayendeg Rosete and Jessa Mae Banlawi. – With Evelyn Macairan, John Unson