The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is grieving over the deaths of at least 14 people after the explosion in Davao City on Friday night.
“When fellowmen die, a part of our humanity dies too,” CBCP president Archbishop Socrates Villegas said in a statement.
Villegas said the Catholic Church was in “prayerful communion” with the victims and the people of Davao City.
“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,” he said.
The CBCP head also called for peace rather than vengeance.
“Let not vengeance be our response but peace! Christ our peace, restore our peace,” he said.
Following the explosion that killed 14 people and injured 60 others, President Rodrigo Duterte declared a “state of lawlessness” in the entire country to counter other terror attacks.
“There seems to be the environment of lawlessness—lawless violence, so I might just declare a state of lawless violence in this country,” Duterte said in an early Saturday press briefing.
READ: Duterte declares ‘state of lawlessness’
When asked to clarify his statement, Duterte said he was declaring only a state of lawlessness, not martial law.
“I have this duty to protect the country. I have this duty to keep intact the integrity of the nation,” he said.
READ: Duterte: State of lawlessness part of duty to protect PH
A memorial for the victims of the blast would be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday at the explosion site.
“Everybody is welcome to say their prayer, lay their flowers and light a candle for those who passed (away),” Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said.
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