Archbishop Romulo G. Valles. CBCP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has called on Filipinos to unite against “violent extremism” after Sunday’s double explosions at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu, which killed 20 people and injured at least 100 others.
READ: Jolo twin blasts death toll reaches 25, with 111 others injured
CBCP President and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles said they “condemn this act of terrorism” and extended their condolences to the bereaved families of victims of the deadly blasts.
“We condemn this act of terrorism that has taken place only a few days after the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law,” Valles said in a statement.
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“As we begin a new phase in the peace process with the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARRM), we ask our Christian brethren to join hands with all peace-loving Muslim and Indigenous People communities in the advocacy against violent extremism,” he added.
READ: ‘Most of those who died were our regular Mass-goers’ – apostolic administrator
The military earlier said it is looking at the Ajang-Ajang faction linked to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) as the perpetrator of the bombings. But a report said the Islamic State group owned up to the deadly incident, citing the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist activities. /kga
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