Davao LGU Praises Conviction of Roxas Night Market Bombing Suspects



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MANILA, Philippines – The local government of Davao City praised the court’s decision to convict seven people involved in the gruesome bombing at the Roxas night market in September 2016, saying it was a victory for the people of the city.

According to a statement from interim mayor Sebastián Duterte on Tuesday, the decision of Chamber 226 of the Regional Court of First Instance of the city of Taguig to convict the suspect “underscores the delivery of justice” to the victims.

On Monday, the court convicted TJ Macabalang, Wendel Facturan, Musali Mustapha, Jessy Vincent Original, Zack López, Jackson Usi and Ausa Mamasapano for the brutal attack that claimed the lives of 17 people.

“The Davao city government welcomes the condemnation of the individuals who perpetrated the deadly terrorist attack on September 2, 2016 at the Roxas night market that resulted in the deaths of 17 people,” Duterte said in a statement.

“Four years after the horrific attack, we continue to cry with the families of the victims and the survivors. Day after day, these families constantly remember the horror that the bomb blast brought into their lives, ”he added.

On September 2, 2016, shoppers at the night market near the Davao Athenaeum were rocked by an explosion believed to have been caused by an improvised explosive device. Military and police officials pointed out the incident to the extremist terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, although the latter said that they were not responsible for these actions.

But despite these developments, Duterte said the decision appears to be lacking because strong anti-terrorism laws were not used during the court process.

The law amending the 2007 Human Security Law, the Anti-Terrorism Law, advocated by Duterte’s father, President Rodrigo Duterte, was passed only in 2020.

“Although the perpetrators were convicted as murderers, they would also have been convicted as terrorists, if only the Philippines had a good anti-terrorism law,” said the young Duterte.

And if only the Philippines had a good anti-terror law, the kind of justice for the victims of that terror attack would have been even more meaningful not only for their families but also for peace-loving Dabawenyos who want to ensure that their future is free. from the threats of terrorism ”, he added. “We believe the decision underscores the urgency of enforcing strong laws against individuals and groups defending terrorism.” [ac]

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