By Raymund Antonio
Vice President Ma. Leonor "Leni" Robredo on Sunday called for justice for the several victims of the deadly bombings at a Catholic church in Jolo, Sulu a week after the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
"Itong nangyari sa Sulu, napakalungkot. Sana hindi na ito mangyari muli," she said in an interview in Cagayan de Oro City.
(The incident in Sulu is saddening. I hope it would not happen again.)
The Vice President emphasized it is important to bring to justice the perpetrators of the incident.
"Kasi kung hindi, parang na-e-embolden lang iyong iba na gumawa pa ng mga similar na hakbang," Robredo, the leader of the opposition, said.
(Because if not, the others will be emboldened to do the similar attempt.)
The Vice President added her voice against the twin explosions that hit the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, where 27 persons died and 77 others injured.
Robredo condemned the Jolo bombings as these came after the BOL was ratified in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and other key areas in the region.
“Nakakalungkot na sa panahon na umaasa tayo na matutuldukan na iyong lahat na kaguluhan dito sa Mindanao, mangyayari iyong ganito,” she said.
(It is sad that this happened at a time we are hoping to end all the conflict in Mindanao.)
The lady official said her office will look into how it can assist the victims of the bombings and their families.
Sulu was the only province under the ARMM that rejected the BOL, which seeks to expand the autonomous Muslim region in Mindanao.