MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Church and the Davao City government banned big bags in churches as part of stringent security measures following the attack on a cathedral in Jolo, Sulu last Sunday that left at least 21 people dead and more than 100 wounded. The Davao archdiocese is the biggest in Mindanao covering about 1.4 million Catholics in Davao City, Samal City and Talaingod town and also in Digos, Tagum and Mati cities. The mayor said she instructed local security and safety officials to implement the order to thwart any attacks similar to what happened in Jolo and in Zamboanga City. The attacks in Jolo and Zamboanga City came just days after the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law that will expand the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Nebrija said more than 4,000 Muslims and Christians will join the inter-faith solidarity walk.

Source: Philippine Star January 30, 2019 21:56 UTC