A WEEK before the Jolo bombings, Cebu’s biggest festival, the Sinulog, just ended.
It was more than one week of celebrations in Cebu starting with the nine-day novena at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño attended by thousands of the faithful, three processions plus one on sea, and the grand parade held the other Sunday.
Imagine if the bombings in a Jolo church happened during Sinulog week? There would be fear and confusion on how to express their faith during the religious activities at the Basilica and whether to join the huge crowds. Despite the distance between Cebu and Jolo, fear from a terrorist attack transcends boundaries.
Cebu was fortunate to not have any major incident to disrupt the annual festival. The Sinulog activities went on with just time management during the grand parade as the challenge.
Two explosions hit the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu province, between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. last Sunday, Jan. 27. Reports said an improvised explosive device went off inside the cathedral just before the mass started despite heavy security. A second device exploded at the parking lot of the church shortly after. At least 20 people died, and close to a hundred were wounded. “The troops were just outside, guarding the perimeter. They usually provide security whenever there is a mass or when our Muslim brothers are in prayer,” said Lt. Colonel Gerry Besana, Philippine Army West Mindanao Command spokesman.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines called the bombings an act of terrorism and asked the faithful to “join hands with all peace-loving Muslim and indigenous people communities in the advocacy against violent extremism.”
The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Msgr. Ruben Labajo said, asked for police security following the Jolo bombings. He also said Cathedral guards have been told to inspect the grounds and check for suspicious objects or persons.
Police in Cebu do not see a threat, but they are tightening security.
No person or group has claimed responsibility for the Jolo bombings, and it is not clear if the attack was directed at the Church or in reaction to the recent political exercise in Mindanao. The attack happened two days after an election that ratified the Bangsamoro Organic Law in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). While majority in the region voted yes to ratify the new law, Sulu province, however, voted “No.” Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan II questioned before the Supreme Court the constitutionality of the new law.
Whatever the motive and whoever was behind the attack, it is obvious they want people to be scared and for the conflict to continue. The next few days will show if the terrorists succeeded in instilling fear. Will the people avoid Church activities, be wary of religious gatherings, or will they flock there to prove the terrorists wrong?
Let’s continue to show our faith and go to church. Let’s tell those bombers we reject their means and we are not afraid.
(ninicab@sunstar.com.ph)