PGMA's Statement re the Sasa Wharf bombing incident in Davao City |
Jade Room, Marco Polo Hotel Davao City, Davao del Sur (03 April 2003) |
| WE EXTEND OUR
DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO DIED AND WITH THE WOUNDED A SPEEDY
RECOVERY. WE ASSURE THEM THAT JUSTICE WILL BE DONE. THE SPEEDY AND THOROUGH INVESTIGATION
IS IN ORDER. THE AUTHORITIES WILL ISSUE THE NECESSARY BULLETINS AS EVIDENCE IS GATHERED.
THE THREAT OF TERROR WILL BE RELENTLESS. IT WILL BE CONTAINED ONLY BY THE EXTENT OF OUR
COLLECTIVE VIGILANCE AT ALL TIMES. IT WILL RISE AND ESCALATE TO THE EXTENT THAT IT CAN
EXPLOIT OUR OWN COMPLACENCY. I STARTED DOING MY COUNTER-TERRORISM INSPECTIONS IN METRO MANILA LAST WEEK. AND I RAISED THE SAME INSTRUCTIONS AND THE SAME WARNINGS AS I TRAVERSED SEVERAL PORTS THROUGHOUT MY TRIP. OUR ALERTNESS MUST BE ALL ENCOMPASSING, PENETRATING AND NATIONWIDE. WE CANNOT LEAVE AN OPENING FOR THE ENEMY THAT STRIKES WHEN IT SEES US RELAX OUR GUARD. WE MUST HARDEN POTENTIAL TARGETS BY DEMONSTRATING COLLECTIVE VIGILANCE. THE POLICE AND MILITARY CANNOT DO IT ALONE. THIS IS A TOTAL WAR REQUIRING THE FULL ATTENTION AND RESOURCES OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. EACH CITIZEN MUST BE THE EYES AND EARS TO SENSE DANGER AND MUST HAVE THE INITIATIVE TO IMMEDIATELY REPORT TO THE AUTHORITIES. WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER, NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT. WE ARE ALL UNITED, WE ARE ALL DETERMINED TO MEET THE CHALLENGE AND OVERCOME THIS CRISIS. |