The whole country was stunned when the news of a twin bombings at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu broke out over the weekend. The blasts left over 20 dead and dozens of others wounded at press time. Three days later, a similar explosion happened in a Zamboanga City mosque, where two people were instantly killed and four were left injured.

As a result of these unfortunate events, heightened security was enforced in the said regions alongside martial law in the whole of Mindanao. For its part, the Palace assured the public the government, through the Armed Forces of the Philippines, is doing its best to protect its citizenry, especially those directly affected.

The Abu Sayyaf Group has claimed responsibility for the Jolo Cathedral bombing and the directive of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is an all-out war against the bandits. These brazen attacks in places of worship perpetrated by this group of heartless thugs have no place in a civilized society just like ours. Not only do these acts sow terror and division among the peace-loving citizens of Mindanao, they are indicative of the cowardice and weakness of those who know only how to destroy, not to build.

Moreover, these attacks are clear violations of international humanitarian law, the law that governs in times of armed conflict. While I agree that there is an armed conflict between state forces, the Abu Sayyaf and some elements in Jolo, this does not give participants in an armed conflict the right to launch attacks against the defenseless, more so in a place of worship. It is an established principle in international law that the deliberate assault or pillage of religious, historic and cultural sites is prohibited during an armed conflict and violators of this rule should be held accountable for a war crime. More fundamentally, attacking civilians who are not taking part in the armed conflict is a violation of the most basic rule of warfare: distinction.

I have already released public statements about the Jolo Cathedral bombing elsewhere. I am outraged over this senseless violence. I am one in calling for the immediate capture of the perpetrators of this attack so they can be prosecuted. In the meantime, I ask for prayers for the eternal repose of those who perished and strength for their families in these trying times.

The Jolo Cathedral is a living proof of the depth of friendship between the Catholic and Islamic faith in the region. What this Cathedral portrays is that two religions can co-exist without fear and with understanding and love for each other. I do hope that these incidents will not stop Catholics and Muslims alike from pursuing lasting peace through the Bangsamoro Organic Law. It is high-time that we give peace in Mindanao a chance.