August 8, 2013 Press Statement of MINDANAO TRI-PEOPLE WOMEN FORUM (MTWF) The Bombing Explosion in Cotabato City The bomb explosion last 5th of August 2013 at past 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon shattered the Cotabateneous. Many questions being raised: Who are responsible to this barbarous act? What motivate them to kill those innocent people and to destabilize the community during the Holy Month of Ramadhan? The terrible explosion happened in a time when many students, workers and employees were rushing to their way home. It was a time when many were to go market for their food to break the long day fasting of our Muslim brothers and sisters. It was one of busiest time of the day when traffic of vehicles jammed in the highway of Sinsuat Avenue, which a timely for the perpetrators to realize this demonic act. The tragic incident lost 8 lives, wounded 32 others, and also traumatized the people of Cotabato City. Many speculations are driven as to the intention of this demonic action. Either political rivalry or destabilization of the on-going peace process or whatever it might be, it always the public are those greatly affected in this kind of insurgency. Our heart bleeds for the mother who lost a child. To the plight of the pregnant woman, who is struggling to survive along with the child in her womb. To the women who lost their husbands and family members. To those who lost their homes and their livelihoods. To everybody, who are traumatized and felt insecurities due to the unstable peace condition. This is not the first bombing incidents we encountered. Who can forget the blast which killed the innocent Catholic believers during mass celebration last September 2011 in Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cotabato City. The series of bombing incidences in Guindulongan, Datu Piang, Café Florencio (Cotabato City) and in Cagayan de Oro City which also killed innocent people and damaged properties. We, the Mindanao Tri-People Women Forum (MTWF), join the million concerned people in unequivocally condemning the series of bombing incidences in Cotabato City and in other places in Mindanao. We urge the law enforcement authorities to identify the perpetrators and determine the motive(s), swiftly and thoroughly. Justice must be fully served. We also call the Police and Military authorities to conduct regular and intensive surveillance to ensure the peace and security of the public. To the Local Government of Cotabato City and concerned government agencies to assist the victims and their families through providing adequate support for medication, counseling, livelihood assistance and in other means toward rebuilding their lives. To the tri-people in Cotabato City and in Mindanao, we always keep vigilant and mindful to the situation. This tragedy may not divide our oneness and stumble our solidarity – however may strengthen us to work collectively towards peaceful and progressive Mindanao. Lastly, we pray together to GOD, ALLAH or TULOS for the souls of the lost ones and for the fast recovery of the wounded and affected people. We also plead for strength – both physical, mentally and emotionally – to continue our plight to live peacefully and progressively. And above all, may JUSTICE prevail. In Solidarity and Justice Rebecca S. Dayem Chairperson Mindanao Tri-People Women Forum (MTWF) Cotabato City
Posted on: Thu, 08 Aug 2013 03:09:26 +0000