IN commemoration of the sixth Roxas Night Market bombing anniversary, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte said he "shared" the pain of the survivor and family, and that his door is open to listen to them.
"Wala koy words na maistorya na mutambal sa kasakit sa inyong kawad-an. Naa lang mi diri. Kung naga-share mi sa pain ninyo (I don’t have the right words to say that could lessen the pain of losing your loved ones. All I can say is that we are here for you. Our doors are open if you want to share your pain to us)," Duterte said during the commemoration ceremony at Roxas Avenue on Friday, September 2.
"Ako nga taga-Davao pud, karon mayor ninyo, uban ko sa inyong kasakit. Naa lang mi diri para ninyo. Kung gusto mo'g kastorya, ako mayor ninyo, naa ko sa akong opisina. Mao ra ako ma-offer ninyo (As a Dabawenyo and your current mayor, I share with you your pain. We are here for you. If you want someone to talk to, as your mayor, my office is open for you. That is the only thing I can offer)," he added.
The city led the commemoration of the bombing incident that took place on September 2, 2016, claiming 16 lives, and injuring 69 people.
Duterte said the Roxas bombing served as a reminder that threats to safety and security still exist.
"Now six years later, we remain ever vigilant and stronger than before," the mayor said.
He added that the city had intensified its security measures to avoid experiencing another terrorist incident.
Duterte also thanked all security forces for their effort to secure the city. He also encouraged the public to be vigilant and practice the "Culture of Security."
The pain lives on
Six years after the tragic incident, some of the survivors, and family of the deceased continue to carry the pain.
Berlie Basilisco, mother of 23-year old Mercy, who was among those who were killed in the bombing, shared that she continues to cry for justice for the death of her daughter.
During the interview, Basilisco broke into tears. She said she still couldn't accept that her eldest daughter was taken away from her.
"Gikan sa pagkagamay unya giatiman nato pag-ayo pagkadako. Unya gipatay lang sa laing tao. Mao nang dili ko kadawat. Okay ra unta to kung namatay sa sakit. Makadawat pa ta nga inahan, unya karon dili man ko kadawat kay kalit ra man (Since she was young, until she grew up, I raised her. Only to be killed by other people. I cannot accept it. It would have been acceptable if she succumbed to a disease. I can still accept that as a mother, but to lose her suddenly, I cannot accept that)," Basilisco said.
She said she, along with her daughter, was among the masseurs working in the night market, she left while her daughter stayed.
Dennis Larida, one of the survivors who lost his son and wife in the incident, was also present during the commemoration.
Larida thanked the city government and all those who prayed for him.
Despite recovering from the tragedy, he said the incident will always have a place in his heart.
On September 28, 2020, seven suspects involved in the deadly blast in Roxas Night Market were found guilty of multiple murders and multiple attempted murders and were sentenced to reclusion perpetua.
Larida said the verdict is one of their steps towards attaining justice.
However, he said their battle continues as the suspects continue to appeal their case.
"Salamat sa ginoo kay na-[hatulan] sila og guilty [verdict] (I thank God that they were sentenced guilty)," Larida said.
The event was the first in-person commemoration after two years following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Continuous help
The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), during the commemoration ceremony, also provided financial assistance and food packs to families of the victims, and survivors.
CSWDO Head Marlisa Gallo said in an ambush interview that the city also provided educational assistance to the children from the affected families.
Based on their provided data, there are a total of 33 beneficiaries, and two of them already graduated from college.
"Hopefully mapahuman ang tanan. Nindot nga naa na nakahuman og pag-eskwela (Hopefully, we would be able to assist them ‘til they graduate. It is a blessing that we already produced a few graduates)," Gallo said.
In addition, the affected families are also prioritized in the city's assistance and cash aid.
Meanwhile, Task Force Davao Commander Colonel Darren Comia said that the public's role is important in maintaining the peace and security of the city.
Comia said since the city formally launched the Culture of Security program in 2020, many Dabawenyos had been reporting to them any suspicious individuals or unattended baggage in public places.
“It’s a sad thing that the fateful incident that happened in 2016, but this strengthened the security forces in cooperation with the Dabawenyos,” Comia said.