DAVAO CITY (January 4)– The Bangsamoro Transition Commission has demanded justice for the victims and the conduct of an investigation on the bombing incident on December 31, 2018 at the South Seas Mall in Cotabato City.
Ghazali Jaafar, BTC chair said that “only those who oppose can perpetuate a terroristic, immoral and cowardly action.” He described the bombing as a “desperate attempt to sow fear in the people of Cotabato City whose great majority is yearning for true peace and human development.”
He cited that one BTC staff, Jonathan T. Toriblano died because of the bombing. “He was a hardworking, humble and peace-loving staff member of Commissioner Melanio Ulama who represents the indigenous people in the BTC that drafted the Bangsamoro Organic Law. It is really sad that someone who worked for an office that seeks peace in the Bangsamoro would become a victim of senseless violence.”
“In the same vein, we grieve for others who also died and got wounded by this evil act,” he added.
Jaafar said the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), as well as the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and other advocates are in the forefront of establishing peace in the Bangsamoro. “We call on everyone to remain calm. Let us pray for the victims and their families. Let us pray that peace, truth and justice will reign in our homeland.”
The MILF, in a statement said, every milestone achieved in the peace process “was somehow met by such drastic act by spoilers of peace.” It vowed to conduct its own investigation and “ensure that the perpetrators are brought into justice. – NewsLine
