ROXAS Night Market continues to operate even after the freak blast on Friday, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said on Saturday, September 3.
That's how you counter terrorism, to stand right after the fall, she added.
At 4 p.m. on Saturday, Archbishop Romulo Valles presided the commemorative mass at the very spot where the bomb was planted and exploded. People from different walks of life gathered to offer prayers and flowers to those who died and severely injured.
Valles said he was delighted upon the immediate call for a memorial ceremony. Duterte-Carpio, in a brief interview after the mass explained, “we should show them that Dabawenyos can stand right away. The measure of terrorism is how long it takes for the victims to stand up- we will stand up now.”
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Sr. Supt. Michael John Dubria, in a separate interview, said that the city is on full alert status. “It means more police visibility on the ground, on areas where public converges.”
Task Force Davao Chief Colonel George Lalaquil also said in an interview with Sun.Star on Saturday that their operations are intensified.
“We will fight terrorism. We will do it by showing we are not a coward, terrorism will not hamper the daily activities/leisure of the people,” he said.
Lalaquil has also informed the public to be calm but vigilant at the same time.