Zamboanga City (AsiaNews) Members of evangelical churches, peace advocates, Muslims and Christians together prayed for divine intervention to rid Zamboanga City of crime and terrorism during a prayer rally held last Saturday afternoon. Hundreds of "prayer warriors" converged on the campus of Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) after marching through the city singing hymns. Here they celebrated mass.
Together they prayed pleading with God to free the city from the ills of terrorism, drug abuse, poverty, spiritual bondage, rebellion, and other threats to the community.
Symbols of crime and social ills like terrorism, graft, and corruption were destroyed and replaced with their good opposites in a ceremony that was accompanied by the lighting of torches.
Prominent local personalities took part in the event.
The Roman Catholic Church was represented by Fr. Angel Calvo, head of Peace Advocates Zamboanga or PAZ, a group that advocates peace in the southern Philippines. He and others pleaded for an end to all forms of injustice and violence, including those inflicted on the environment.
Mindanao will celebrate the Week of Peace from November 30 to December 6 "In the Name of the Almighty, God of Harmony, Care for the Earth."
In his closing remarks, WMSU President Dr. Eldigario Gonzales said the city residents' show of unity in prayer against violence and crime can intensify every sector's involvement in improving life, peace and order in the city.
