Press Release
July 6, 2009

Villar condemns Cotabato bombing

Nacionalista Party President Manny Villar today condemned the bombing in Cotabato City that killed five people and wounded more than 40 others.

"This bombing which occurred outside a Catholic Church is a terrorist act that should not go unpunished. Authorities should thoroughly investigate this case and bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible," Villar said.

Villar added the bombing reflects the continuing unstable peace and order situation in Mindanao.

"Authorities should be relentless in hunting down the perpetrators of this criminal act. At the same time, transport firms and business establishments should tighten security procedures and maintain constant vigilance to deter further attacks," the former Senate President said.

Villar also expressed concern over the effects of this bombing to peace efforts between the government and rebel groups in the South.

On Sunday, a powerful explosion, said to be the bloodiest of a spate of bomb attacks in Mindanao in recent weeks, tore through a lechon store outside the Cotabato Immaculate Conception Cathedral.

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