Peace adviser slams grenade attack in Cotabato City

Cotabato City, Maguindano. INQUIRER FILES

COTABATO CITY — Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. strongly condemned the grenade attack on Sunday in a Catholic chapel in this city that wounded two church-goers.

“This horrendous act of violence, carried out on Pentecost Sunday, a day of religious significance for Catholics, is a direct attack on the Filipino people’s commitment to religious freedom and peaceful co-existence and blatant disregard for human life,” Galvez said in a statement on Tuesday.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of those injured in this incident and wish them a full and swift recovery. We stand in solidarity with the Catholic community of Cotabato City and the entire Bangsamoro region during this unforeseen challenge,” Galvez added.

He branded the attack as an “act of terror” that aimed “to sow fear, animosity and mistrust.” However, Galvez, a retired soldier, said the incident “will not slow down or dampen our resolve to achieve lasting peace, mutual understanding and solidarity in the Bangsamoro.”

“We urge everyone in Cotabato City and the region to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the proper authorities. Let us all work together to prevent such tragedies from happening again and to help foster a more peaceful, inclusive and harmonious environment that respects the diverse faiths within our communities,” Galvez appealed.

READ:Grenade attack on a Catholic chapel in Cotabato City injures 2 persons