Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Wednesday called for national unity after a grenade attack on a mosque in Zamboanga City followed the bombing of a Catholic Church in Jolo, Sulu.

Two people were killed while four others were injured when the grenade exploded inside a mosque in Sitio Logoy Diutay, Barangay Talon-talon, Zamboanga City. On Sunday, twin explosions inside and outside the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral in Jolo left 21 people killed and 100 others hurt.

“Sana’y maging mahinahon tayo sa ganitong pangyayari at magkaisa po,” Go said in a radio interview.

Go also called for support and understanding after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered an all-out war against the Abu Sayyaf group and their affiliate Ajang-Ajang group who were allegedly behind the church bombing.

“Dahil nga po sa nangyari gusto niyang mabigyan ng hustisya ang mga naging biktima. Kaya nga po kailangan nating maging vigilant lalong lalo na po sa islands ng Mindanao. Kaya nga po tayo nasa martial law sa Mindanao hanggang ngayon kasi po andiyan ‘yung threat ng terrorism,” Go said.

Go also said President Duterte has promised to take care of the needs of the victims of the bombings.

It is unfortunate, according to Go, that the bombings in Jolo and Zamboanga City occurred after the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law which was meant to usher lasting peace in Mindanao after decades of conflict.

“Yung nangyari kahapon din po talagang nakakalungkot dahil kakatapos nung plebisito sa BOL,” said Go who is a senatorial candidate in the 2019 elections. Go had vowed to support President Duterte’s programs, including the Chief Executive’s peace initiatives.

However, Go said he does not want to speculate on the motives and personalities behind the twin deadly attacks and would rather wait for the authorities to complete their investigation of the two separate incidents.

“Antayin na lang po natin ang mga kapulisan. May imbestigasyon na pong ginagawa ang militar at kapulisan, pati ang NBI. Ayokong pangunahan ang kanilang imbestigasyon,” he said.