MANILA, Philippines – Church officials said today the death of the terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden came as a good news and is a "relief" to the whole world, but it should brace for attacks from his followers and groups affiliated with him.
Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez said security forces in the country should be prepared for retaliation from al-Qaeda affiliate groups, especially in Mindanao.
"The death of Osama Bin Laden is good minus a terrorist. But it is bad because his loyalists will retaliate not only military and policemen but on innocent civilian. The government security forces should protect the civilians," the bishop said.
For his part, Father Anton Pascual, Caritas Manila executive director, said he hopes that the death of the al-Qaeda chief will lead to "lasting peace" in the world.
"Let’s pray for his soul and all the victims of fundamentalist violence. But we need to address the root problem of the worlds social ills that is neo capitalist hegemonic expansion worldwide exploiting the poor, environment and families in the name of pseudo-development and modernity," Pascual said. - By Dennis Carcamo
