Four years after the Roxas Night Market bombing, justice is finally served to victims of the grisly attack that claimed 17 lives.
The guilty verdict was handed down on September 28, 2020, by Judge Marivic Vitor of the Regional Trial Court Branch 266 in Taguig, convicting the individuals who perpetrated the September 2, 2016, deadly terror attack in Roxas Night Market that resulted in the death of 17 people and wounding 70 others.
In a statement, acting City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte stated that the verdict underscores the delivery of justice for the fatalities of the bomb attack, the survivors, their loved ones, the entire City of Davao and all the Dabawenyos who endured the impact of the said terror attack.
Baste said four years after the grisly attack, the city continue to mourn with the families of the victims and the survivors. He also said that day in and day out, these families are constantly reminded of the horror brought by the bomb explosion to their lives.
“And given the many lives lost because of the bomb attack and given its impact on Davao City and its people, we respectfully express our dismay as we point out that this positive development is somehow tarnished by the absence of a strong law against terrorism,” he said.
He added that while Davao City has epitomized unity, resilience, and strength to stand tall, strong, and victorious in the face of adversities and difficult challenges, the terror attack has jolted the lives of Dabawenyos.
Baste also said that although the perpetrators were convicted as murderers, they would have been convicted as terrorists as well.
“If only the Philippines has a good anti-terror law. Terrorism is real. And if we fail to do something to stop it, it will find its way to destroy us,” he said.
He also emphasized that if only the Philippines has a good anti-terror law, the kind of justice for the victims of that terror attack would have been even more meaningful not only to their families but also to the peace-loving Dabawenyos who want to ensure that their future is free from the threats of terrorism.
“We believe that the decision underlines the urgency to enforce strong laws against people and groups that espouse terrorism. The Local Government of Davao would like to express its gratitude to the survivors and the families of the fatalities for persistently pursuing the case against the perpetrators despite the many challenges. You were dauntless in your pursuit of justice and your courage was truly inspiring,” he said.
Baste, however, reminded Dabawenyos to never let their guards down and urged that bombing experience should push them all the more to embrace the culture of security.
“With the government on our side, only we can protect ourselves against terrorism. Let us not forget what happened to us on September 2, 2016 and the previous terror attacks in the city. Let us not forgive these terrorists,” he said.
The city has recorded eight bombing incidents in Davao City since 1981 that killed 75 people and wounded 390 others: San Pedro Cathedral bombing on April 19, 1981 that killed 17 individuals and wounded 157 individuals; San Pedro Cathedral bombing on December 28, 1993 that killed six persons and wounded 51 individuals; Evergreen Hotel bombing on March 16, 2002 (1 wounded); Old Davao City Airport bombing on March 4, 2003 (22 killed and 55 wounded); Sasa Wharf bombing on April 3, 2003 (16 killed and 46 wounded); City Overland Transport Terminal bombing on February 14, 2005 (6 wounded); SM and GMall bombings on September 20, 2013 (five wounded); and the Roxas Night Market bombing.
To prevent more terroristic attacks to happen in the city, the city government has launched the Culture of Security Project, which is a people-centered campaign that encourages Dabawenyos to adopt vigilance as their way of life and through the campaign “May Nakita? Dapat Magsalita!” is an order encouraging Dabawenyos to adopt the Culture of Security as part of their way of life.
