By Lilian C. Mellejor
President Rodrigo Duterte, Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Erik Forner, and Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza listen as Kjartan Sekkingstad, who was held hostage for almost a year by bandit group Abu Sayyaf, delivers a message during a press conference in Matina Enclaves, Davao City on September 18.(MNS photo)
DAVAO CITY, Sept. 20 (PNA) – President Rodrigo Duterte has warned of another possible terrorist attack in Mindanao or in other parts of the country.
“There will be another explosion believe me,” Duterte said before a meeting Monday with the victims of the Sept. 2 explosion at the Roxas night market where 15 persons died and injured 69 others.
The President met with the survivors and victims of the Davao blast to extend assistance to them.
Duterte said young terrorists who identify themselves with the Islamic State (IS) still remember the atrocities of the past such as the 1906 Bud Dajo massacre.
“The young don’t belong to any organization, they are identified with the ISIS. They have sworn allegiance already to the Isis,” he said.
Atrocities against the Moro people in Mindanao may have happened decades ago but remain as if it happened yesterday, Duterte said.
He said he knew there would be an explosion in the city due to his all-out offensive against the Abu Sayyaf.
“I knew na puputok dito. Nung bakbakan na sa Sulu, alam ko (I knew there would be an explosion here. When there was already fighting in Sulu, I know). No need to be Maute [member], an Abu Sayyaf,” he said. Maute is a Lanao del Sur-based group, while the Abu Sayyaf is based in Basilan and Sulu provinces.
He said the ISIS will continue to create atrocities anywhere in the world.
The President stressed it would be “terribly wrong” to disregard the historical injustice because it has been the reason there is so much hatred in Mindanao.
Duterte said the Bud Dajo incident remains fresh in the memory of the Muslims. “To the Moro, it just happened yesterday. So puputok ito ng puputok,” he added.
Duterte however vowed to work for a solution. He said the option now is continue talking with all fronts until they can find a formula for peace.