The Philippine bishops note that “Red Wednesday” was commemorated on November 29, a date on which Christians who are persecuted for their faith around the world are remembered.
In that sense, they indicate that Sunday’s victims “are now among them. We are consoled by the thought that they have participated in the passion of Christ, that their blood has been poured out as a libation like the blood of Christ.
For its part, according to France24, the Philippine Army believes in the possibility that the attack was a “retaliation” for the military operation on December 1 that caused the death of 11 Islamic militants in the southern province of Maguindanao.