State prosecutor warns on Holy Week bombings

State Prosecutor Peter Medalle has warned the public that Abu Sayyaf terrorists have a plan to bomb urban center churches in this year’s Holy Week commemoration. The last Sunday of Lent is the start of Holy Week. It is a day that commemorates the solemn entry of Christ into Jerusalem before his passion and it is celebrated with the blessing and procession of the sacramental palm. All the other days of the week are called "holy" in memory of the mystery of the Redemption, but especially solemn are the last three days – Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Glorious Saturday.

Holy Thursday is called Maundy Thursday from the Latin Mandatum which is used in the ritual of the "washing of the feet" wherein twelve poor parishioners have their feet washed by their parish priest. Another custom associated with this day is the visita iglesia, wherein the faithful visit as many churches as they can to celebrate the Thursday of the Lord’s Supper.

The next day is the Friday of the Passion and death of Our Lord. It is the saddest day of the year, so much so that whenever a person looks very sad, Filipinos are wont to ask, "Why do you look like Good Friday?"

Holy Saturday is known as Sabado de Gloria because it commemorates the Burial of Our Lord that culminates at midnight with the first Easter Mass with the announcement of Alleluia!

Easter is not part of the Holy Week, but it is the "solemnity of solemnities" because it commemorates the Resurrection of Christ.

Now for the very first time in history, we have been warned that some Abu Sayyaf terrorists are planning to kill innocent people when they go to Church this Holy Week. We must not avoid going to Church this Holy Week. That would be a perfect victory for the Abu Sayyaf. But the authorities and parishioners must be on full alert. They must be wary of people who bring or drop packages that could be deadly bombs.

Our police force has been able to cope with many terrorist threats in the past. Two good examples are the peace that prevailed in all cemeteries last All Souls and Saints Days and the recent prevention of the prison breakout in Bicutan.

Whether we like it or not, an improvised bomb exploded right outside the LTA Building owned by First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in Perea Street, Makati. According to reports, the building was not the main target. The explosion just happened outside of it. The general impression is that it is caused by two rival street gangs at war with each other. So there was a bomb explosion to mark the start of the Holy Week, but it was not in any of the churches or associated with Holy Week. We hope that the rest of the week is more peaceful.