IT HAS been two weeks since the September 2, 2016 bombing at the Roxas Night Market. There are grounds to call it such now that the Philippine National Police already identified the source as an explosive inside a bag. A sketch of a suspect who might be linked to Malaysian extremist and bomb expert Zulkifli Bin Hir or "Marwan" was released.
A state of national emergency was declared, and in course of media coverage the public were reminded of seven other unsolved bombing incidents in Davao since 1981.
These thoughts are an update and elaboration of earlier ones I shared on social media in light of the above.
My conviction stands that if the explosion was indeed an act of terrorism-and we are still awaiting more updates toward a conclusion on the basis of thorough investigation-then it is important that Dabawenyos not only take back the space that is the Roxas Night Market, but also prevent terrorism from "winning" by harboring mindsets that actually sanction the very things that terrorists want to achieve.
Terrorists "win" when they inflict not only direct harm on victims, but also generate fear in others, the paralyzing kind that dictates on people's minds, emotions, and movements. Fifteen people were killed in the blast, and 69 injured. But it also tore at the sense of security of people and kept many away from public spaces afterwards.
Thus it mattered that the evening after the explosion a few people were back at the Roxas Night Market to light candles and pray, get massages, partake of food, and shop. More came the following nights. Some even had their own unique initiatives like artists and members of media who offered free hugs, or students and others who gave out roses, water and food. Peace builders Community, Coffee for Peace, Konsyensya Dabaw and Women Alliance for True Change were among those who went to Roxas to express solidarity and stand against terrorism.
Terrorists "win" when in the wake of their actions old divisions are intensified or new ones created. The view that the incident was "karma" on Dabawenyos, and the "I am a Dabawenyo, I am not a Filipino" drive on social media post-September 2 may seem poles apart. But in truth they are of the same kind of intolerance championed by terrorists. Terrorism loses momentum when citizens practice inclusiveness, respect diversity, and promote principled unity.
Acts of terror test our unities. Initiatives that on the surface highlight pride of place could have the unintended consequence of supporting terroristic goals to further drive wedges and have us turn against each other. The messages #staystrongdavao and #staystrongphilippines are thus both valid.
The City Government announced on September 15 its intention to disallow the covering of faces in public places, which would include "hats, sunglasses, facemasks, mouth masks, burqa, face paint, and other similar things". This was actually an improvement of an initial announcement made by the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) that included the hijab, which Muslim women wear to cover their hair and neck but does not conceal the face.
The City Mayor recognized that the specified garments were not illegal per se but that their use in public is discouraged in consideration of the general welfare of the majority. While she also acknowledged sentiments of Muslim women about the burqa, Mayor Sara Duterte suggested the use of the hijab, or for burqa-wearing women to cooperate and show their faces to security personnel.
The first announcement elicited reactions from Muslim groups and netizens. But there were no noticeable rejoinders after the Mayor's statement. Whether the Mayor's response had sufficiently assuaged concerns, or people were being cautious in reacting is hard to tell at this point.
I personally hope that this will not deteriorate into one of those situations where minority rights get trampled in the name of majority welfare. As borne out of this experience (Mayor Sara made the clarification in the wake of reactions and requests for clarification), the vigilance of citizens, and the receptiveness to feedback of governance leaders and institutions are key.
Terrorists "win" when legitimate concerns about Presidential Proclamation 55 that declared a State of National Emergency are downplayed as being baseless simply because the declaration had been made by President Duterte, or for being motivated by opposing political interests. Terrorists destroy institutions and practices that are not in support of their agenda such as critical thinking, checks and balances, and rule of law. In the end, effective actions that do not endanger constitutional and democratic measures are ways of pushing back against terrorism which thrives on anarchy and lawlessness.
Without being hyper-alarmist, there are things we should learn from the state of emergency declaration after the 2003 Davao airport and wharf bombings. The dominant view at that time held the Moro Islamic Liberation (MILF) responsible. Investigations were conducted. Police operations were made in Davao communities with dominant Muslim populations, and a number of Muslim leaders reportedly remain missing to this day. The Maniwang Commission released a report in 2004 clearing MILF leaders. The Magdalo group later accused the Arroyo administration of sanctioning the bombings as part of Oplan Greenbase, allegedly a plan to declare Martial Law. Not much happened afterwards by way of solving the crime.
Observations were put forward that aspects of the Roxas Ave. bombing were reminiscent of 2003, others speculated about Abu Sayyaf involvement, even a narco-politics connection. But let us not tire of demanding that the crime be fully and properly investigated because we do not want Roxas to be the 8th unsolved bombing in Davao, and that we do not want a repeat of the lapses of the past.
Terrorists "win" when the blast is construed without benefit of a full investigation as an attack on the leader of the country, and the battle lines are rapidly reduced to simply being pro or anti-Digong. Terrorists do not value vigilant and engaged citizenship, preferring to cultivate unquestioning and rabid followers, and the elevation of their revered leaders or ideals into cult figures. The dialogue-oriented and context-based discussion of issues by citizens who resist the temptation of resorting to convenient but inadequate labels frustrates terrorists.
The recommendation to change the name of Roxas Ave. seems innocent enough. But because no such move had been made to rename the sites of the seven other bombings in Davao, it raises the question whether the real intention is to take a jab at Mar Roxas, which would make the suggestion outdated and unproductive.
In the wake of the September 2 bombing, the Duterte administration's responsibility is not only to fight terrorism in Davao City and bring justice to those harmed, but also to govern in a manner that continues to strengthen our country's democratic institutions, practices and mindsets so we do not go the direction that terrorists prefer we take.
The biggest help we can give this government and ourselves at this point is to do the opposite of what terrorists espouse: reach out to the widest segments of Filipinos on the bases of principled unities rather than uphold shallow divisions; practice informed, critical and systems-oriented thinking rather than chase the sentiment or hash tag of the moment; and stand by institutions rather than personages. As President Duterte himself said "I would like to caution everybody na I do not cultivate adoration or personal loyalty" and to "remain loyal to the Constitution... and just honor the flag."
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