TWO years ago, the Roxas Night Market bombing happened on September 2. An improvised device went off at the bustling night market on a Friday evening resulting to the death of 15 persons including a 12-year-old boy and the injury of 70 others. I was one of the injured.
As one of the victims of the tragedy, I close my eyes reminiscing what happened that night, all noises just like the blast give me chills.
I heard many people making comments of what happened during that night like “laagan kasi kaya ayan ang nangyari sa kanila.” It is sad to know some people making comments on the victims like that because people had no idea that such an unfortunate incident will happen that night.
The bombing was planned by a group of terrorists who were seeking attention from the government. A number of innocent Dabawenyos died due to this act of terrorism.
What happened that night remains vivid to me. I was not crying but instead I feel like I was floating. Some of the thoughts running in my mind that night include, “Makikita ko pa ba parents ko? (Will I still be able to see my parents?)” and “Pipikit ba ako o didilat lang? (Should I close my eyes or open?)” There were a lot of negative thoughts coming through my mind that night.
The rescuer who tended to me told me then that I needed to be strong and I will be brought to the hospital any time soon. However, we had to wait for two to three hours before being brought to the hospital due to the lockdown of the area.
After the lockdown, they rushed us to the hospital; I was sent to the Davao Doctors Hospitals. I lost around two bags of blood when I got there. I heard voices saying, “Ano na gagawin natin? Putlang putla na siya. (What should we do? She is already very pale.)” Then, I was able to see the doctor and there was light. I also saw my sister shaking and that time, I did not know what to do. But suddenly my vision darkened and I can hear sobbing and whispers.
After the incident, my heart melted when President Rodrigo Duterte, who served as the city mayor for 22 years said, “I have the duty to protect the country, I have this duty to keep intact the integrity of our nation.” I have mixed emotions every time I recall the incident. I am mad because of what happened but also I am happy because I am still alive and God gave me another life to say thank you and to love my family and friends. (Pearliza Sayon, UIC intern)