IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – In the wake of the heinous bombing at Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City on Sunday, December 3, Ipil town Mayor Anamel C. Olegario vehemently denounced the attack on innocent civilians, branding it as an act of terrorism incompatible with civilized society. Particularly poignant is the condemnation, given the community’s ongoing recovery from the Marawi Siege.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the cowardly bombing of innocent civilians in Marawi City that resulted in the senseless loss of lives and injuries to many. Such an act of terrorism has no place in any civilized society—more so in a community still recovering from the nightmares of the Marawi Siege,” she declared.
Drawing on the shared experience of recovering from similar nightmares, Mayor Olegario extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and offered hope and prayers to the injured.
“On behalf of our community, which has also weathered and overcome similar nightmares in the past, we express our deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and offer hope and prayers to those who were injured,” she said.
Expressing unwavering solidarity with the people of Marawi, the mayor underscored the necessity of holding those responsible accountable and ensuring justice for the victims.
“As we strongly stand in solidarity with the people of Marawi, we pray that our shared grief would somehow ease your burdens, mindful that full accountability must be exacted from the responsible and justice for the victims must be served,” expressed the mayor.
In a statement, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. condemned the bombing incident at MSU and Marawi communities, resulting in several deaths and numerous injuries. He conveyed condolences to the victims’ families and attributed the attack to foreign terrorists, emphasizing the government’s commitment to assisting the affected individuals.
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the senseless and most heinous acts perpetrated by foreign terrorists upon the Mindanao State University (MSU) and Marawi communities early this Sunday morning. Extremists who wield violence against the innocent will always be regarded as enemies to our society,” President Marcos declared.
President Marcos commended the swift response of the regional government and local units, vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice. Security measures are being intensified, with additional personnel deployed to safeguard civilians. He urged the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and called for unity against violence and extremism, all while keeping the victims and their families in prayer.
The head of state remarked that the government is currently collaborating closely with the regional government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and relevant local government units to ensure a prompt response to what he termed the “most recent attack on peace.”
Meanwhile, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), in a statement, extended condolences to the victims’ families and the MSU community, emphasizing resilience in the face of tragedy.
It also denounced the attack, which occurred during a mass, and the Mindanao Week of Peace for their ruthless attempt to instill fear and animosity.
The Marcos Administration pledged to relentlessly pursue justice in collaboration with the BARMM and underscored unity against such acts to promote a culture of peace and solidarity. (RVC/EDT/JPA/PIA Zamboanga Sibugay)
