MANILA – Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Sunday condoled with the families of the victims of the bombing at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City and asked Filipinos to remain calm.
Duterte asked all Filipinos, especially Mindanaoans, to be calm while authorities are conducting an investigation.
“We should also be cautious and vigilant in order to prevent possible attacks on civilians,” she said.
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go called on law enforcement authorities “to hunt down whoever is responsible and punish them with the full force of the law.”
“Acts of terrorism on educational institutions like the Mindanao State University must be condemned. Ensuring the safety of students in schools from terrorist threats is a paramount priority for fostering a secure learning environment,” Go said.
“The function of terrorism is to terrorize people. If we allow ourselves to be terrorized, terrorists win. As such, we must remain united and should not allow this crime to trigger sectarian hatred and further animosity among Filipino people,” he said.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri 3rd said the bombing of innocent civilians “is heartless.”
“It is especially alarming to see such a brazen attack on a state university during a Catholic Mass. No one should have to feel unsafe in places of learning and places of worship,” he said.
Senate Majority Leader Emmanuel Joel Villanueva said the fact that the incident “took place within a school, a place that should be a safe place for our students, teachers, and the community, makes it even more disturbing.”
“Acts of violence should never go unpunished, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that our communities remain safe and secure places for all of us,” Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel 3rd said.
Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. condemned “this senseless violence in the strongest terms possible. This has no place in our society. I implore our law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
Sen. Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay called on the police and military “to step up their intelligence efforts and their fight against the presence of lawless elements and groups that terrorize society. We are all for peace in Mindanao, and we will not be cowed by threats or terror.”
“The full force of the law must be applied to ensure accountability and deter further violence,” said Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said, “Such acts of terrorism only strengthen our resolve to work collaboratively to eradicate extremism and promote peace. Amidst this tragic event, I call for a thorough investigation to swiftly ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said there is “absolutely no space or justification for these kinds of violence in civilized society.”
Sen. Maria Josefa Imelda “Imee” Marcos demanded that law enforcers “punish to the utmost the perpetrators of the heinous crime.”
Sen. Mary Grace Poe said she expects law enforcers “to do whatever it takes to bring the perpetrators to justice and go after their networks.”
“This heinous act has no place in our society. This is a clear act of terrorism, and we must not stop until the perpetrator is held accountable,” Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid said.
