Cardinal Quevedo Urges Probe on ‘Mamasapano Tragedy’

MANILA, Jan. 30, 2015—The head pastor of the the Episcopal See that has jurisdiction over Mamasapano, Maguindanao has called on Philippine state officials to look deeper into the most recent “massacre” that took place yet again in his Archdiocese, and killed 44 members of the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s Special Action Force (SAF), stressing a peaceful solution to the longstanding conflict in the island.

Cotabato Archbishop Orlando B. Cardinal Quevedo (Photo: CBCPNews)

“…I grieve most deeply with the families of the valiant PNP-SAF, fallen in battle for the cause of justice. The circumstances and causes of this horrendous tragedy are still to be clearly unraveled,” Cotabato Archbishop Orlando B. Cardinal Quevedo, who is currently in Rome, Italy, said over Church-run Radyo Veritas in an interview Thursday, Jan. 29.

According to the prelate, the demand of justice is for impartial investigation into how such police operation could result into “unimaginable tragedy.”

Moreover, Quevedo urged the faithful not to be carried away by their emotions which might compromise the peace talks.

“The demand of wisdom is for us to hold back the natural response of revenge and desire to break off the peace process. May our God of love welcome our gallant policemen to our heavenly home, strengthen and comfort their families,” he said.

“[And] may the same God of mercy and compassion bring justice and peace to our broken Mindanao that profoundly hopes and prays for lasting peace,” he added. (Raymond A. Sebastián/CBCP News)