Lone fatality in Kabacan blast laid to rest, family calls for justice

KABACAN, North
Cotabato – The lone fatality in Sunday night’s deadly blast here had been laid
to rest with her family calling for justice.

Florence
Mantawil of Barangay Pedtad, Kabacan, North Cotabato, was very emotional when
interviewed exclusively by Radyo Bida Kidapawan.

She said the
family has already accepted the fate of Monique Mantawil, a 19-year-old
development communication student of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM)
who perished during the explosion on Sunday evening.
Her classmates and friends were walking along the national highway just near
the overpass when the improvised explosive device was set off at about 7 p.m.

She went to
the town center to have her paper works photocopied in a photo copier store
when the blast occurred. She sustained shrapnel injuries in the head.

Florence
admitted that her dreams for her daughter were all gone to waste after the
incident but, in the same breath, she said it could be Allah’s will.”

To the
perpetrators of the bombing, Florence said in the vernacularand You also have
children, you will know how painful it was to lose a daughter.”

Monique had
been laid to her final resting place Monday in accordance with Islamic
tradition.

Her classmates
and friends mourn her untimely death, describing her as very friendly,
idealistic and determined to finish studies.

Dr. Francisco
Garcia, USM president, was emotionally hurt that 13 of the 17 blast victims
were USM students.

He appealed
for speedy and impartial investigation to give justice to Mantawil and other
victims.

Garcia said
the university will extend assistance to the students.On Monday, North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza offered P100,000 reward for anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of the suspects.Kabacan Mayor Herlo Guzman Jr also offered P100,000 to any information that could help the police in its investigation and arrest of the suspects.