Zambo mosque blast challenges gov’t to protect Mindanaoans

Panelo described the perpetrators of both explosions as “ruthless” and “godless” as they happened in two different religious institutions. (File Photo: PTV/Facebook)

MANILA — Malacañang described the explosion at a mosque in Zamboanga City on Wednesday as a “taunting challenge” to the government’s ability to protect Mindanaoans since it happened in wake of the twin bomb attacks in a Catholic church in Jolo, Sulu on January 27.

“This latest act of murder apart from the terrorists sowing terror in the Mindanao region, coming as it does in the wake of the Jolo dastardly bombing, is a taunting challenge to the capability of the government to secure the safety of the inhabitants in Mindanao,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Panelo described the perpetrators of both explosions as “ruthless” and “godless” as they happened in two different religious institutions.

“The successive attacks on two different places of worship depict the ruthlessness and the godlessness of these mass murderers,” Panelo said.

Panelo assured that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

“The armed forces of the Philippines will unleash its might and weaponry against these enemies of the state and hunt them ferociously and relentlessly until the law rolls down its guillotine on them,” Panelo said.

Panelo said government will secure the safety of residents and provide them with whatever support they need with dispatch and sufficiency.

He asked Mindanaoans not to be “cowed” and “intimidated” by the attacks but remain “vigilant” and “alert” on any noticeable abnormality in their surroundings.

Moreover, he told residents to immediately provide authorities with the information so they can undertake “appropriate measures to prevent the occurrence of any act of deathly violence”.

Panelo, meanwhile, stressed that the government’s efforts to achieve long-lasting peace in Mindanao will proceed despite these attacks.

“The quest for peace and progress by the Bangsamoro people will not be stalled by any obstacle thrown at their path,” Panelo said.

“The movement to change the face of Mindanao and the oppressive conditions affecting its people shall move forward despite these acts of terrorism,” he added.

Reports showed that two persons were killed and three others injured when a bomb exploded inside a mosque in Logoy Diutay, Barangay Talon-talon, Zamboanga City on Wednesday.

Authorities have yet to determine whether this is connected with the bombings at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu that killed 22 people and wounded a hundred others.

Both bombings took place just days after the historic ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) on January 21.

Earlier, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said he is certain the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is behind the Jolo twin explosions.