A mother embracing her child as they both laid flowers in memory of the Roxas bombing victims. Photo by Anna Sophia Tarhata Piang

In the aftermath of the Roxas Night Market Bombing last Sept. 2, the city government of Davao held a memorial service for the victims at the site of the incident earlier today, Sept. 3.

Archbishop Romulo Valles presided over the mass. In his homily, he called for calm and mutual support among the citizens of Davao.

“The vicious power of evil in our midst. But we must stay strong. Stay strong Davao and I believe thank you again for this very good move to come together and pray, to ask God to help us discover once again, hold once again, the value of loving one another of being there for one another, for keeping the community of Davao again we tell ourselves, keep it safe and caring and comforting and joyful as a people,” he said.

Valles also commended the efforts of the city government and its officials.

“We pray for our city government, our leaders, the many agencies of the city government, the military, the police. They are exerting so much effort to help us, to help the city to return to normal life and I am told, this evening or soon, the activity in this area would resume into normalcy and I told the mayor; That is a wonderful move so that we tell ourselves, though we are afraid, we are in pain, we will continue to stand up and live normal lives with the blessing of the Lord,” he said.

Dozens of attendants were carrying signs that read “Give peace a chance!”. Also, those who brought flowers and candles placed them on the ground of the site.

Over hundreds of Davao citizens attended. Also present was Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Prior to the mass, Duterte-Carpio released a statement through Facebook regarding the bombing incident and the city government’s actions:

”I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families of those who died last night.

I would also like to reassure all of them, as well as the families of those who are injured that the City Government of Davao will assist in all their needs for hospitalization, burial, funeral and day to day expenses.

I am sorry for what happened.

I would like to remind other officials to stay within the bounds of their official duties according to their position. Please leave me in peace to do my job and I’ll leave you to focus on your own work.

We will not be terrorized by this heinous crime and I call on all Dabawenyos to unite and let us help each other rise from this senseless incident.

Let us remain vigilant, please report any and all suspicious activity, no matter how insignificant it may seem.”

Citizens in attendance expressed their shock and sentiments regarding the event. Dina Tabada, a Davao city resident stated that she is still in shock over what happened.

“[I’m] shocked pa rin. It’s the least expected place para sa atin because for so long, we have been so safe and so confident dito sa Davao. [I’m] very sad kasi iyong mga tao ditto gusto lang nila magpagaan ng loob, mag-unwind, tapos iyon ang kanilang kisapitan,” she said.

Yet, Tabada also added that in spite of the calamity, the people of Davao seemed to be more united.

“But then again, there’s no reason to fear, kasi lahat ng oras nasa Panginoon. [Apart from this] we are so united, nandito tayo lahat – this is one good fruit that came from this calamity. Mas united tayo ngayon, parang bigla nawala ang politikahan,” she said.