Cotabato City, October 17, 2024 – Bangsamoro Health Minister and Parliament Member Dr. Kadil M. Sinolinding Jr. has offered a P200,000 reward for any information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect involved in a grenade attack on his office in Cotabato City. The incident, which occurred on the night of October 12, 2024, saw an unidentified man on a motorcycle tossing a fragmentation grenade at the entrance of Sinolinding’s clinic and office before speeding away.
Fortunately, no one was hurt in the explosion, but the blast sent shockwaves through the area, causing panic among nearby residents in Barangay Rosary Heights 8. The closed-circuit television footage from the scene captured the suspect’s actions, which are now being used by police investigators in their efforts to solve the case.
Sinolinding, who was not present at the time of the attack, described the incident as an attempt to intimidate him, possibly due to his work or political affiliations. “This is a form of harassment to scare me, but it will not affect my commitment to serve the Bangsamoro people,” he told reporters.
Political and Work-Related Motives
Dr. Sinolinding, who is both an ophthalmologist and a long-standing public servant, has garnered widespread respect in the region for his humanitarian work. He has provided free medical treatment to thousands of underprivileged cataract and pterygium patients since the 1990s. His dedication to public service has only grown since he was appointed as the health minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in May 2024.
However, his efforts to reform the Ministry of Health have reportedly unsettled some individuals. Employees in his office hinted that the attack could be connected to the sweeping reforms Sinolinding has introduced. Since taking office, he has cracked down on corruption and terminated non-performing contracts within the ministry. Some speculate that the grenade attack might be an act of retaliation by those affected by these reforms.
Despite the attack, Sinolinding remains resolute. “It’s not me who will be affected by this attack, but the Bangsamoro people I am serving,” he said. He reiterated his commitment to continue his work, emphasizing that he would not be deterred by threats or intimidation.
Support for the Investigation
As the investigation continues, Sinolinding is offering a P200,000 cash reward to anyone who can provide information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrator. He hopes this will expedite the resolution of the case and bring the attacker to justice. Local authorities are working with the available evidence, including the CCTV footage, to track down the suspect.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, who appointed Sinolinding earlier this year, has expressed support for the health minister’s reforms and condemned the attack as an assault on the integrity of the Bangsamoro government.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of public officials in the region, particularly those pushing for reforms in critical sectors. Sinolinding’s determination to continue his duties sends a strong message that intimidation will not hinder efforts to improve governance and public service in BARMM.
