Three bombings in major cities in Mindanao the past two weeks have baffled police and local officials as to who could be behind the incident and what could be the motive. But peace advocates say its 2003 all over again.
A day before the Cotabato City bombing, Sittie Rajabia and her husband, Elson, were joking after hearing a United States government advisory of an Al Qaeda threat.
TYRONE A. VELEZ Davao Today Bernard Mondragon, spokesperson of Child Alert Mindanao, asked “What did ‘Tokhang’ accomplish?” He said government’s view of ‘gangsterism’ as a peace and order concern shows government failure “to look at why poverty pushes them towards it.”
by TYRONE A. VELEZ Davao Today Lawyer Beverly Musni, convenor of Initiatives for Peace in Mindanao (InPeace) told Davao Today said she joins the public in condemning the bombing as it “intends to sow fear by attacking civilians.” She also "challenged authorities to answer questions by the public, to leave no stone unturned to find the truth and justice for the victims.”
In a text message to Davao Today, outgoing DCPO Chief Ronald dela Rosa said the city is placed in double alert, with checkpoints and security personal around the city on double time for heightened intelligence monitoring.