MANILA, Philippines — Muslim leaders and peace activists condemned the bombing during a Catholic mass at the Mindanao State University (MSU) gymnasium in Marawi City last Sunday and demanded that the police and the military identify and arrest the perpetrators.
The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) said that it has tasked its leaders in Marawi City to locate the two suspects identified by Maranao Islamic preachers as Arsani Membisa and Wahab Macabayao, both members of the Dawlah Islamiya.
“That bomb attack was absolutely satanic – something we in the MNLF condemn strongly as we call for a speedy closure to it via an extensive probe by the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Bangsamoro labor and employment minister and MNLF central committee chairman Muslimin Sema said.
Local government chief Naguib Sinarimbo of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) called the bombing “an act of terror” and demanded justice for all victims.
“We in the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government condemn that in strongest terms. We have requested the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region to identify its perpetrators for them to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of law,” Sinarimbo said.
A physician-member of the 80-seat BARMM parliament Kadil Sinolinding Jr. expressed sadness that a deadly terror attack had killed innocent people.
“It’s hurting. Four died, more than 30 worshipers were injured in the explosion. I studied a four-year course in MSU before I studied medicine proper in another state university in the Visayas,” Sinolinding said.
Maranao peace advocate Norodin Alonto Lucman said the bombing was meant to drive a wedge between Christians and Muslims.
“We should avoid drastic and unreasonable conclusions on that incident. Let us give the police and military enough time to identify its perpetrators for them to get locked up in jail,” Lucman said.
Priests in central Mindanao belonging to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate congregation have urged Muslim and Christian communities not to have their ecumenical peacebuilding activities disrupted by terrorism.
‘A barbaric act’
The terror attack was a “barbaric act (that) has no room in a humane civilized, peaceful society,” Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said yesterday.
An improvised explosive device went off in the middle of a mass at the MSU gym last Sunday, killing four people and wounding scores of others. The mass was part of the celebration of Mindanao Week of Peace.
“We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the families of the victims, and to the students and faculty of MSU. May you have the strength and courage to cope with the painful loss of your loved ones and carry on in the face of this immense tragedy,” Galvez said.
He said the Marcos administration will not let the perpetrators of the attack go unpunished.
“Our agency is also in touch with the leadership of the (BARMM) so that we can provide the necessary assistance to the victims and their families,” Galvez said.
“As we mourn the loss of those who have perished, let us unite and work hand in hand so that we can help prevent such incidents from happening again, as we continue to promote the culture of peace, mutual understanding and solidarity across our nation,” he added.
Executive session
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said the chamber will have an executive session tomorrow to give way to a briefing from security agencies on the status of peace and order in the country.
“We appeal to the people who are listening not to be afraid and not to be cowed by this incident,” he added.
“I strongly condemn such barbaric acts on innocent civilians. There is no place in any civilized society for this inhumane act,” Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda said.
“The one who did this wanted to put different sectors into conflict. We should not indulge in such discussions because there is only one thing that is certain, the bombing that happened was an act of terrorism designed to sow fear among the people and destabilize the peace and order in our country,” Sen. Raffy Tulfo said.
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said it was heartbreaking that the terror attack happened on the first week of Advent. — Cecille Suerte Felipe, Janvic Mateo, Delon Porcalla, Mark Ernest Villeza