Albay Rep. Joey Salceda has condemned the vicious shooting which took place in the premises of Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) in Quezon City on Sunday afternoon, July 24.
“I am continuing to monitor with concern the recent shooting incident in the Ateneo de Manila University campus. This brazen act of violence, especially during a solemn and momentous occasion for graduates and their families, has no place in our society. I condole with the families of those who lost their lives in the incident," said Salceda, who will most likely retain his chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee in the 19th Congress.
Salceda himself is an alumnus of Ateneo de Manila University; he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Management Engineering in 1982.
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“The incident is especially concerning in light of how close the date and the place is to the Batasan Complex, where the State of the Nation Address will be held," he said.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will hold his first SONA at the Batasang Pambansa Complex, just a few kilometers away from the ADMU campus, before the 19th Congress on July 25.
“While it will be speculative at this point to guess at the motives for the incident, I call on our police and law enforcement authorities to remain on high alert, to ensure that similar incidents do not disrupt our traditional democratic traditions and ceremonies tomorrow.”
“I also join the Ateneo community in praying for the safety of everyone, and for the speedy resolution of this case. I hope that the future lawyers in the Ateneo graduating class of 2022 will not be dissuaded from their incoming responsibilities as officers of the court and instruments of law, order, and justice," the Albay 2nd district solon concluded.
The shooting incident took place during the Ateneo Law School (ALS) graduation ceremony at the Arete Art Gallery inside ADMU.