Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio led the 17th year commemoration of the 2003 Sasa airport bombing at the old Davao airport on Tuesday.
The commemoration was highlighted with offerings of candles and flowers at the bomb explosion site.
Speaking before city government officials, families of victims and survivors, Mayor Duterte said the past thirty years have seen numerous bombing incidents in the city, but Davao City has always stood up, stronger, braver, after each incident.
“Seventeen years after the incident here at the Old Airport, we come together to remember the lives of our friends and family members who were taken from us,” Mayor Duterte said.
She added that, although, the bomb incident has forever changed the lives of the victims’ families she encouraged the attendees not just to remember the bombing incident at ground zero but also to remember the lives of their loved ones and honor their memory.
“We know that nothing can ever make up for your loss, but know that the City Government of Davao, together with our security forces, remains vigilant and committed to protect the city from all forms of terrorism. And with your support, and the support of the rest of the Dabawenyo community, together we can ensure that such atrocities never happen again,” she said.
The mayor also assured that the City Government will also continue to give educational assistance to the children of the victims, through the local City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) and the Educational Benelit System Unit (EBSU).
“Today, we light our candles in memory of those who died, in solidarity with the survivors, and in our collective conviction that as long as we remain committed to the ideals of peace and hope, nothing can weaken our resolve and our resilience as one Dabawenyo community,” she said.
The Davao airport bombing took place on the afternoon of March 4, 2003. A bomb was placed in a box or bag in a covered waiting shelter just outside the airport terminal. The bomb blew off the shelter’s roof panels, and shrapnel from the bomb blast tore into those waiting in or near the shelter.
The blast killed 22 people and injured 143.
