Philippine Survivor: We Only Need God to Overcome Terrorists' Evil

DAVAO, Philippines – A recent terrorist bombing in southern Philippines prompted the country's president, Rodrigo Duterte, to demand that all U.S. troops leave the area.

While some officials say American forces are needed to help combat the Islamic jihadists, one bomb victim, church worker Dennis Larida, says he only needs God to help him overcome the terrorists' evil.

Larida's wife and their only son were among the 15 innocent victims killed in the blast.

Recounting the events of that fateful night, he said that instead of going to sleep, he and his wife, Melanie, went to the night market for a massage. That's when what would have been a lovely time of family bonding turned into tragedy.

"I cannot explain the pain that I feel," Larida told CBN News. "It's very painful, but I am not questioning God. I know it is His will for my wife and son to be in the glory of the Lord. I thank God for the strength that He is giving me."

After the incident, President Duerte immediately sent more soldiers and police to secure the southern conflict areas.

"The attack may have been done by terrorists because of the massive scale of harm that was done. But, on the other hand, we cannot discount the possibility that it is a retaliation from narco-politicians," speculated Valeriano de Leon, Davao's director of operations.

The blast occurred amid an ongoing peace process with Muslim jihadists in southern Philippines.

In a controversial statement, Duterte ordered U.S. troops to leave Mindanao, warning the American presence could jeopardize the peace negotiations. Many Muslims in area known as Moros blame Americans for a massacre that occurred here in the early 1900s.

But Philippine National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana disagreed, saying the Americans are needed to help defeat Islamic terrorism.

"The reason why the Americans are there is because we don't have the capabilities of what they are doing now," Lorenzana explained. "We requested them to be there because they are doing the Intelligence Surveillance Recognizance equipment."

The Filipino military, however, says it will safeguard the people from terrorism regardless of whether the Americans leave or stay.

"We don't have the sophisticated gadgets and armaments, but what is important is the person behind those gadgets. It is our mandate to protect the Filipino people and our soldiers are willing to pay that ultimate sacrifice, giving our life to protect the community and for others to live," Major Ezra Balegtey, chief public information officer, said.

Bert Labawan, a pastor, agreed.

"It might help somehow to put a stop to these rebel groups and have a common understanding that we are from here and we can build our place not depending on people coming from outside," he explained.

"Not everything can be solved with the presence of the U.S. troops here," he continued. "We can prove to ourselves that we will do it our own way by God's help."

Meanwhile, families of the innocent victims are trying their best to rise above their difficult circumstances. Larida has now discovered God's purpose and is moving on with his life.

"I will terribly miss my family, but I also thank God because of what happened. I am able to spread the Gospel throughout the world because of our testimony," Larida told CBN News.

"If I meet the people who did this to my family, I will share the Gospel to them because who knows? They will be saved," he said. "The death of my wife and son are not in vain. Someday we will see each other in heaven."