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2 Islam teachers killed after grenade thrown into mosque in Philippines

A police investigator examines the scene of a grenade attack on a Muslim mosque in Zamboanga city in southern Philippines, Jan. 30, 2019. WESMINCOM Armed Forces of the Philippines via AP

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines – Authorities say a grenade was thrown into a mosque in the southern Philippines where Muslim teachers were sleeping, killing two and injuring four.

Regional police Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Luis D. Licup said investigators are trying to determine the motive and identity of the suspect in the attack early Wednesday at the mosque in Zamboanga city. The victims were from Basilan and nearby provinces at the mosque to teach Islam to children.

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It was the second explosion at a religious site in the southern Philippines this week, though military Col. Leonel M. Nicolas emphasized the grenade blast was not retaliation for the bombings of a Catholic cathedral in Jolo on Sunday. He said the grenade attack was still under investigation.

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The official toll for Sunday’s attack was raised to 21 dead.

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