Fr. Rey Salvador, DCK, In a homily at the Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace cathedral here, said he believed that because of the violent death of the victims their souls would not perhaps rest peacefully.
He urged parishioners and members of the Basic Ecclesiastic Communities (BECs) to also pray for the immediate recovery of those injured who are now recuperating in various hospitals in this city and in Makilala.
“Our prayer is very important at this moment. This is the only thing we could do to help the bereaved families of the victims aside from offering flowers, candles and financial assistance to them,” the priest said.
The Notre Dame of Kidapawan College (NDKC) community has also offered a special day of mourning for those killed in the Makilala incident.
Bro. Noel Fernandez, NDKC principal, led the high school and elementary students in saying the Rosary offered to the victims during the culmination day of the Holy Month of Rosary Friday last week.
Fernandez said that “life is a precious gift from our Lord,” adding that God does not want His flock to get into tragedies. “This is purely accident, so please don’t blame God for this incident,” he further said.
Makilala Mayor Onofre Respecio has also appealed to his constituents and local government unit employees to join the special day of prayer on All Souls Day.
He stressed that the special day of prayer is offered not only to the Oct. 28 victims but to all victims of calamities that took place in Makilala in the past months.
On Aug. 3, eight people died while hundreds of residents in low-lying barangays were rendered homeless due to flash floods. Thousands of hectares of agricultural lands were also damaged.
On Oct. 10, a powerful bomb exploded at the municipal plaza as Makilala residents celebrated the town’s 52nd foundation day. Six were killed while 29 others were injured.
Respecio has requested residents from the neighboring towns to join them in the prayers.