NewsPCID urges public vigilance after Jolo bombings

We, the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy, stand in solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters in Jolo in the wake of the bombings that took the lives of twenty people and wounded countless others during mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel yesterday.

We pray for the full recovery of those injured and vehemently condemn this deliberate act of terrorism that may dilute the gains of peace achieved by the Bangsamoro People after the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law or BOL.

As such, we urge the Filipino people, especially those in Mindanao to exercise caution and vigilance. This is the time for us to stand against these terrorists who seek to divide the Bangsamoro people and cast fear. We must recommit to protecting one another from threats of violence by reporting to the authorities suspicious movements of individuals or groups that threaten the peace and order situation in our communities.

This incident is also a bleak reminder to all sectors of the urgency to address the issue of violent extremism in conflict-affected communities of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Thus, we call on government and stakeholders to act now and establish a national action plan that will develop systemic preventive steps to address the conditions that drive individuals to radicalize and join violent extremist groups and put in place security-based counter-terrorism measures.

We also appeal to our leaders to take a rational and pragmatic approach to this crisis to prevent violence from further escalating in the region.