MANILA, August 12, 2013— The consecutive bombings in Mindanao must spur the people to work hand in hand for stability and peace in the region, a Catholic archbishop said.
Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo expressed hope that despite recent violence, the peace process would gain strength to end the decades-long conflict in Southern Philippines.
“Such a crime as well as other attacks on human life and property must motivate all of us to pray for peace, to work for peace, and act together for peace,” Quevedo said.
“We must do so especially when lasting peace is within our reach through peace negotiations,” he said.
At least two separate explosions struck again in Maguindanao and North Cotabato last Friday.
A week ago, an explosion claimed eight lives in Cotabato City. Three more bombings occurred on Aug. 7 – two in Maguindanao and one in North Cotabato, with seven soldiers wounded in one of the attacks.
On July 26, an explosion also killed eight people and injured 46 others in Cagayan de Oro City.
Archbishop Quevedo said whatever the motivation, “there is simply no justification for the murder of innocent lives.”
“We must condemn this terrible crime in the strongest terms and pray that the perpetrators be identified, arrested and brought to justice,” he said. (CBCPNews)
