CBCP decries cathedral bombings in Sulu

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Sunday decried the twin explosions at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu which killed at least 19 people and injured dozens.

"We condemn this act of terrorism that has taken place only a few days after the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law," CBCP president Archbishop Romulo Valles, currently holding a plenary assembly in Manila, said in a statement.

"We condole with the families of the several soldiers and civilians who were killed by the explosions," he added.

The CBCP also extended its solidarity to the rest of the Catholic community in the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo.

Moreover, Valles appealed to Christians to "to join hands with all peace-loving Muslim and Indigenous People communities in the advocacy against violent extremism," as Mindanao enters a new chapter in its peace process narrative with the ratification of BOL that will create the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARRM). — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News