COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 07 January) — PEACE!
With fears, suspicion, polarization and threats seizing the citizens of Cotabato City, I reiterate the threefold call of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG).
- CALL for sobriety and calmness in the City and avoid, at all times, finger-pointing on persons/groups with NO evidences;
- CALL for the Security Forces to conduct a thorough investigation on the bombing and not simply resort to blaming the usual bogey people – the “terrorists”; and
- CALL for ALL COTABATENOS NOT TO ALLOW FEW EVIL MEN, by words and deeds, destroy the trust and friendship built through the years.
I also commend the vigilance of our City Government under Mayor Cynthia Guiani and the SB and the Barangay
Chairs with the Security Sectors (AFP and PNP) under MGen. Sobejana of 6th ID in keeping watch over the City and environs.
We need the citizenry’s vigilance and full cooperation to thwart evil designs that would destroy the friendship, trust and respect between and among ourselves built through the years.
“That the nearest in affection to them are those who say: ‘We are Christians’. That is because there are priests and monks among them; and because they are free from pride.” (Sura V: 85)
(MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Fr. Eliseo “Jun” Mercado, OMI, is a former president of the Notre Dame University based in Cotabato City. He is presently a consultant at the IAG)