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By APD writer Melo M. Acuna
**MANILA,Jan.27(APD) ** – Catholics bishops from all over the country, gathered for their three-day plenary session, condemned what they described as “act of terrorism” against the Catholic faithful and military troopers inside and the patio the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu.
In a statement signed by Davao Archbishop and CBCP President Romulo G. Valles for and on behalf of 86 archbishops, bishops diocesan administrator and honorary members gathered at Pope Pius XII Catholic Center, the prelates said they received the information from Fr. Fr. Romeo S. Saniel, OMI, Apostolic Administrator of Jolo of the bombing during the Sunday Mass.
“We condole with the families of the several soldiers and civilians who were killed by the explosions,” they said as they expressed sympathies with the wounded. They also expressed solidarity with the church-goers inside the Cathedral and the rest of the community.
They said the violent incidents took place only a few days after the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
“As we begin a new phase in the peace process with the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), we ask our Christian brethren to join hands with all peace-loving Muslim and Indigenous People communities in the advocacy against violent extremism,” the bishops added.
The bishops concluded their statement with their desire that “all our religious peace guide us in our quest for a brighter future for the peoples of Mindanao.”
PNP Spokesman Sr. Supt. Banac and AFP Public Affairs said the death toll has remained at 19 and 81 wounded as of this writing.
No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
