2 cops, 1 civilian hurt in Basilan grenade attack

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Unidentified men riding a motorcycle hurled a grenade at a police detachment in Lamitan City, Basilan province on New Year's Eve, hurting two policemen and a civilian.

Chief Inspector Kenneth Balisang, Lamitan City police chief, said that the motorcycle-riding men hurled the grenade at the Special Action Force detachment along Rizal Avenue at around 11:30 p.m.

Balisang said prior to the attack, the policemen manned a checkpoint in front of its detachment.

He said that they have yet to determine the motive behind the attack.

Meanwhile, a respected Muslim leader identified as Hadji Omar Japal was shot dead in Ungkaya Pukan town during the New Year revelry.

Police said the suspect in the killing had a personal grudge with Japal.