Bomb Blast

Another bomb. Lives lost. Many injured.

I used to really love Cotabato City, it was a place I called home. WAS. Now, I can't even think straight if I'm within the city, be it a quick business trip or even if we are just driving through, there's always a feeling of unease and a sense of danger; a little voice inside my head always whispers a litany of warnings - hold onto your bag, don't let go of your kids' hands, don't be so comfortable in crowded places - the list is endless.

The fear started about 6 years ago. I was still in Cebu then, working. My beloved sister was in a PUV going to the city center to have her shoe fixed when she was shot at point-blank range, all because of a cell phone. My sister was rushed to the hospital and spent hours in the operating room fighting for her life. She is alive.

Another horrifying incident happened moths later, and this time, it happened to my brother. He was at the city center, picking up photos he had had developed, when all of a sudden, a group of boys smashed his head with a rock. My brother ran for cover, so did his two friends, but not without the assailants coming after them.

And now, years after those incidents, it's as if all that we can hear from the news about Cotabato City are deaths, hold-ups, kidnappings, and yes, bombings. What is happening, Cotabato City? Doesn't anybody value life anymore?