CBCP STATEMENT ON BOMBINGS

In no uncertain terms do we strongly condemn the almost simultaneous bombings that late yesterday afternoon hit the cities of Davao, General Santos and Makati.

We likewise condemn as maliciously inhuman the killing of the innocent civilians. Such dastardly crimes are unconscionable because they clearly violate God’s / Allah’s teachings and therefore should be branded as unchristian and unislamic.

We pray for the eternal rest of the souls of the victims. We pray for strength for their surviving families. We appeal to the kind public to help them in their immediate needs.

We urge our people to be watchful and vigilant. . We encourage them to exercise utmost prudence and care as they move around or travel.

We appeal to our government and to its law enforcement officers to intensify surveillance and security of public places where people congregate like churches, mosque, malls, markets, schools, terminals, airports, piers, etc. Likewise we urge them to increase the capacity and sophistication of their intelligence and investigating networks in order to effect an early apprehension of the terrorists.

We are alarmed by the almost simultaneous occurrence of the bombing incidents. It was an instance of the terroristic plan getting more highly sophisticated and supremely dangerous. Government response should be more effective and immediate.

FERNANDO R. CAPALLA, DD
Archbishop of Davao
President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
15 February 2005