Groups condemn bomb attack in Davao City

COTABATO CITY—Members of religious groups and government leaders in Mindanao have condemned the bombing of a busy district in Davao City on Friday, which left 14 people dead and 67 others wounded.

The Catholic missionary congregation, Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), which operates in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao, called on “people of all faiths and of goodwill to help ease the pain” of the bombing.

In a statement issued by Father Lauro de Guia, the Oblate superior, OMI said pain could be eased “by drawing on our better selves rather than exacerbate an already difficult situation by our insensitivity or malice in this time of collective grief.”

“We reiterate our denunciation of all forms of needless violence, regardless of who the perpetrators and victims are, at all times, and in all places,” De Guia said.

“Violence begets violence, and nobody wins in a spiral of death-dealing,” he said.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao regional government said it joins all peace-loving Filipinos in condemning the attack.

“We are no strangers to such incidents, and we know the fear and sorrow that come with these tragedies,” ARMM Regional Gov. Mujiv Hataman said in a statement.

Reacting to claims by an Abu Sayyaf ally had a hand in the bombing, Hataman said “acts of terror have no place in a country that tirelessly hopes for peace and stability.”

“Time and again, this group has proven to be the biggest traitor of Islam, their activities are purely betrayal of the values and principles we hold dear as a peace-loving people,” Hataman said.

“Islam does not condone the spilling of blood. The murder of innocent people has no place in Islam. Acts of terrorism are not and will never be the way toward unity and progress,” he said.

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno said the people of his city were praying for Davao and the victims of the explosion. “Mindanao has no more boundary, we are equally affected,” Moreno said.

Dr. Habib Macaayong, president of the Mindanao State University system, said: “Terrorist acts do not discriminate; anyone, be they women, children and other innocent civilians, can be a victim. It is an act that deserves a concerted effort in bringing to light the perpetrators and make them face the bar of justice.”

He said any form of violence cannot be justified by any religion. “Islam is a religion of and teaches peace among humankind. Terrorism is un-Islamic and runs counter to the Muslim faith’s cherished values,” Macaayong said.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Southern Mindanao warned against the possible unleashing of anti-Moro hysteria, which might be used by some sectors in spreading the climate of fear and impunity. Edwin Fernandez, Germelina Lacorte, Jigger Jerusalem and Judy Quiros, Inquirer Mindanao