SILANG, Cavite - The closing of the 5th Asian Youth Day on Friday was marked by prayers for the victims of the bloody massacre in Ampatuan, Maguindanao last November 23.

Thousands of young Asians gathered in the town of Silang in Cavite for the official closing of the 5th Asian Youth Day.

Also present during the celebration of the closing mass were more than 20 Bishops and hundreds of priests from all over Asia. 

During the homily, Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, the general secretary of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conference, remembered the victims of the Maguindanao massacre and prayed for a renewed culture of political power.

The Bishop also said that justice must be done with forgiveness.

Youth For Christ delegate Jep Calumag said the incident is a clear manifestation of how more Filipinos need Christ in their lives.

He also encouraged young Catholics to open their minds and consider joining such gatherings to strengthen their faith.

19-year old Shawn Wong from Singapore also expressed the deep sorrow he felt after hearing about the gruesome incident.

"This shouldn't happen in a country filled with so much faith", Wong said.

Besides delegates coming from this year’s host country, the Philippines, delegations include: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Macau, Taiwan, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Timor Leste, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Kyrjyzstan, Mongolia, Siberia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and other Asian delegations from other continents (Australia, Germany, France, the Netherlands).

The celebration ended with the presentation of a solidarity statement prepared by all 2,000 participants of the 5th Asian Youth day to commit themselves to renewing their faith in prayer and in service. (by Tina Ganzon, ABS-CBN Southern Tagalog)