THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and lawmakers from the House of Representatives strongly condemned the bombing incident in Davao City that killed at least 14 people and wounded 67 others on Friday, but said the people should respond with peace and not vengeance.
In a statement, CBCP president Archbishop Socrates Villegas said, “Violence shocks us. Acts of terrorism jolt us. When fellowmen die, a part of our humanity dies, too.’’
“We pray for peace for the dead victims. We pray for healing for the wounded. We pray for strength for the bereaved families. We pray for the restoration of brotherhood and harmony for Davao and for the nation.”
Davao Rep. Karlo Nograles said, “We condemn in the strongest sense the terroristic attack against innocent civilians of Davao City. We pray for the victims of the blast and their families, and assure them of government’s support.
“We also pray for those responsible for this abhorrent act, that you may realize humankind will not succumb to hatred. If you pursue your wicked agenda at the cost of innocent lives, it will only strengthen the people’s resolve to reject it.”
Eastern Visayas Rep. Ben Evardone himself said, “The Eastern Visayas Bloc in Congress extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved families of the casualties of the horrific explosion…we share the agony of the Filipino nation.”
On Friday, an explosion rocked the crowded Roxas night market accross the Ateneo de Davao at around 11 p.m.
The Catholic prelate offered prayers for the victims and “for the restoration of brotherhood and harmony for Davao and for the nation.”
He also hoped people would not be vengeful against the perpetrators of the attack.
“Let not vengeance be our response but peace. Christ, restore our peace,” the Lingayen-Dagupan bishop said.
Villegas said the CBCP remains “in prayerful communion” with Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, the vice president of the CBCP, as well as Filipinos in Davao City.
“We grieve too over the death of innocent brothers and sisters due to the bombing near midnight,” Villegas said.
The military also condoled with the families of the victims, saying they are doing everything to hunt down the perpetrators.
“The focus of the AFP’s Eastern Mindanao Command is on helping the local police restore normalcy and secure the area and in assisting medical responders to attend to the victims,” the AFP said.
“The continuing directive by the AFP Chief of Staff General Ricardo Visaya has been for our personnel to be vigilant and ready for any eventuality. The AFP is prepared to undertake any task that will be issued in regard to the declaration of ‘state of lawlessness’ by the Commander in Chief President Rodrigo Duterte,” it added. With PNA
