THE Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro called on city residents to stand up against terror or any forms of violence and drum up support to the victims of the Davao blast that killed 14 persons and injured 67 others last Friday, September 2.
Monsignor Perseus Cabunoc, Oro Archdiocese vicar general, said the city is in grief with the turnout of events in Davao, even throwing a caution for the public to stay calm and vigilant.
"Sa ngalan sa Archdiocese sa Cagayan de Oro ug ni Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, among gikasubo ang nahitabo sa Davao, ug kami nakig-simpatiya sa mga biktima ug sa ilang pamilya. Sa mga taga-Davao dili lang magkumpyansa," Cabunoc said.
Cabunoc also urged city residents to cooperate with the police as they conduct major checkpoints around Cagayan de Oro.
"Para sa mga Kagay-anon, magbinantayon gayud kita sa atong palibot. Dili magkumpyansa. Ireport dayon kung naay suspicious acts or mga tao nga kadudahan ang lihok. Cooperate lang gayud kita sa pulis because after all, this is for our own safety. This is a time for love, not division. We must be united together as Filipinos and set aside differences as we face this challenge."
Cabunoc also asked the public to respect and understand President Rodrigo Duterte's "state of lawlessness" declaration, saying Duterte is only concerned with the security of the Filipino people.
"Ang mga nagbomba is gina-try lang nila ug discredit ang atong Presidente. Ang pag-deklarar ni President Duterte, atong irespeto. Dili man kini sama sa martial law, the announcement's aim is to boost the law enforcement in the country. Siyempre, sabton pud nato si Duterte kay ang gi-atake pa gyud ang iyang syudad kung asa siya na mayor ug kung asa siya nagsugod," he said.
On Friday, September 2, Davao City's popular night market was rocked with an explosion caused by an Improvised Explosive Device.
Police said they are now tracking down at least four persons of interest who were acting suspiciously, leaving the scene hurriedly before the blast.