Policemen and soldiers stand outside bomb-hit church in Jolo, Sulu province on the southern island of Mindanao, on January 27, 2019. (Photo by NICKEE BUTLANGAN / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) on Monday urged Filipinos, particularly those in Mindanao, to exercise caution and be vigilant following the deadly twin blasts that hit a Jolo cathedral in Sulu.
READ: Jolo twin blasts death toll reaches 25, with 111 others injured
“We urge the Filipino people, especially those in Mindanao to exercise caution and vigilance. This is the time for us to stand against these terrorists who seek to divide the Bangsamoro people and cast fear,” the group said in a statement.
“We must recommit to protecting one another from threats of violence by reporting to the authorities suspicious movements of individuals or groups that threaten the peace and order situation in our communities,” it added.
The PCID, who “vehemently” condemned what it described as a “deliberate act of terrorism,” prayed for the recovery of the victims of the explosions.
“We pray for the full recovery of those injured and vehemently condemn this deliberate act of terrorism that may dilute the gains of peace achieved by the Bangsamoro People after the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law or BOL,” it said.
The bombings happened a week after the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite.
READ: Yes votes have it: Law creating Bangsamoro region ratified
The PCID likewise said that it stands in “solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters in Jolo” which killed at least 20 people and injured 111 others on Sunday morning.
The group also considered the attack as “a bleak reminder to all sectors of the urgency to address the issue of violent extremism in conflict-affected communities of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.”
“Thus, we call on government and stakeholders to act now and establish a national action plan that will develop systemic preventive steps to address the conditions that drive individuals to radicalize and join violent extremist groups and put in place security-based counter-terrorism measures,” the PCID said.
“We also appeal to our leaders to take a rational and pragmatic approach to this crisis to prevent violence from further escalating in the region,” it added. /je
READ: BOL: A victory for ‘people tired of war’