MindanaoToday.com | Mindanao students condemn brutal MSU-Marawi blast, call for end to violence
By: Franck Dick Rosete
A group of student leaders in Mindanao condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the brutal bombing incident inside the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, on Sunday morning, December 3, where four individuals were killed.
Unyon Mindanao, the premier alliance of student governments in Mindanao Island, said that apart from emanating violence, the “barbaric act” also worsens the increasing prevalence of Muslim-Christian conflict, making the public vulnerable to misinformation rooted in “bigotry and discrimination.”
“It is empirical to acknowledge that no religion endorses or supports extremist actions,” the Unyon Mindanao said in its statement released on Sunday, signed by President Ivan Jay Lagunero, adding that it calls for an immediate end to violence in all educational institutions.
Initial police investigations revealed that the explosion occurred around 7 a.m. during a Catholic student mass on the first Sunday of Advent at the MSU Dimaporo Gymnasium. Apart from the fatalities, there were several individuals who sustained injuries.
Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. stated during an interview with the reporters that an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in the venue. The provincial government is still waiting for the results of the probe conducted by law enforcement.
The group said the incident is “no less than an act against humanity,” emphasizing that educational institutions are sanctuaries of safety and a place free from violence.
The Muslim Youth Council (MYC) of Cagayan de Oro also condemned the said heinous act and stood in solidarity with the affected community.
The youth council shared a quote in alignment with the teachings of the Holy Quran that “killing the innocent is like killing humanity,” a reminder, the council said, that Islam is a religion of peace and the deeds of a small number of people should not be misinterpreted as characteristic of the entire Muslim community.
Several local government units in Mindanao offered assistance, such as free transportation, especially for their constituents studying at the state-run university who wanted to go home, as the school suspended all classes and academic activities until further notice.
MSU condemned the incident and vowed to provide support and assistance to those affected by the tragedy.
According to the MSU Emergency Taskforce, there was no recommendation to implement a lockdown or the need to evacuate the university’s constituents, as the school is secured based on the internal security’s assessment.
Colonel Robert Daculan, director of the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office, said they are still conducting a thorough investigation to determine the person or group behind the brutal crime.
In connection, Unyon Mindanao urged youth to get involved in the talk of solidarity, mutual understanding, and intercultural dialogue.
Apart from Unyon Mindanao and MYC-Cagayan de Oro, several groups and national and local public officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, condemned the bombing incident.
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