When Dennis Larida took his family out for some quality time he wasn’t expecting the fate that awaited them.
According to a report by ABS-CBN news, Dennis had just come home from work, tired, and hesitant to indulge his wife Melanie and 12-year-son Josh’s request for them to get massages at Davao City’s popular night market. But he eventually agreed.
He was sitting behind the market’s massage area while his wife Melanie and son Josh were getting massages.
It was a little after 10 p.m., when a single, powerful blast went off, killing 10 people on the spot and leaving his wife and son gravely wounded. Dennis didn’t sustain any injuries.
Melanie and Josh were rushed to the hospital but, sadly, perished as they were being treated.
Two other victims died, leaving the death toll at 14.
As of this writing, Davao police are searching for four possible suspects who they strongly believe were behind the bombing and part of the Abu Sayyaf. Witnesses reportedly spotted the said suspects leaving a bag in the market’s massage area (where Dennis’ wife and son were) before the blast.
“I wish that I had refused to go. After all, it has been my habit to just stay home when I’m already tired.”
ABS-CBN interviewed Dennis at the wake of his family, where he expressed how he deeply regrets taking them to the night market.
“I wish that I had refused to go. After all, it has been my habit to just stay home when I’m already tired,” he said in Bisaya.
Though he is carrying regret, he isn’t harboring any anger towards those reponsible, believing the tragedy was “part of God’s plan”.
“I don’t stand a chance in fighting the suspects and seeking vengeance. Justice is what I want.”
“God has said, ‘Vengeance is mine.’ I don’t stand a chance in fighting the suspects and seeking vengeance. Justice is what I want,” he added.
(Ingon sa ginoo vengeance is mine. Wala koy power na makig gubat sa ilaha. For the sake na makakuha ng revenge. Gina seek nako ang justice.)
Davao’s local government have already reached out and committed to cover the wake and funeral expenses.
Dennis’ mom, Wilfreda Larida is also heartbroken by the tragedy that best her grandson and daughter-in-law.
“Alam nila na meron akong heart disease. Kaya nahirapan talaga sila na sabihin sa akin,” she said. (They know I have a heart disease so they had difficulty in telling me about the news.) She further expressed her deep regret that her young grandson would never be able to achieve his dream of becoming a policeman or soldier one day.
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