Senators on Sunday, December 3 expressed their indignation at the bombing inside the Mindanao State University (MSU) campus in Marawi City early this morning. 

As of press time, 11 people were killed while several others were reportedly injured after a blast occurred at the Dimaporo Gymnasium inside the MSU campus at around 7:30 a.m. while a mass was held. 

“I am angered and appalled by the bombing of the Mindanao State University today. To enact such violence on an innocent group of people gathered to hear mass is completely heartless,” Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said.

“It is disheartening to see such violence play out in Marawi once again, years after the siege and well into a period of newfound peace enjoyed by our brothers and sisters under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM),” the Senate leader added.

Zubiri said it is also 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.”

“I join the families of the victims in calling for the coordinated efforts of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous government to leave no stone unturned in bringing justice to their loved ones, and to restore the peace that we have worked hard to gain in Marawi over the past six years,” he stressed.

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda also strongly condemned the latest act of terrorism in Mindanao, saying “senseless and cowardly acts of violence have no place in any society and must be met with the full force of justice.” 

“The bombing occurred during a religious occasion, underscoring the need for greater understanding and respect for diverse religious practices and beliefs. It is crucial for us to stand united, demonstrating resilience and solidarity in the face of such acts of violence,” Legarda said. 

Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr., also lamented the incident saying places of education and the practice of religion “should be safe havens.”

“I condemn 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,” Revilla said also in a separate statement.

“Kasalukuyan pa lang na bumabangon ang Marawi, kaya mahalagang mapanatili ang kaayusan doon (Marawi is still recovering, so it is important to maintain order there),” the senator added.

Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada also said he is “appalled and outraged at the barbaric act of terror” which coincided with the celebration of Mindanao’s Week of Peace and which allegedly was committed in retaliation by a terrorist group against military forces. 

“We vehemently call on the authorities to conduct a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation into this appalling incident and bring those responsible for planning and executing this act of terror to justice swiftly. The full force of the law must be applied to ensure accountability and deter further violence,” Estrada said.

“We must not let this type of terrorism destroy, not only the educational institution facility, but also the security and safety of our countrymen. We reject any attempts to divide us along religious lines or incite hatred among us,” he also stressed.

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito also condemned the bombing which he said “goes against the fundamental principles of the right to freedom of religion.”

“It is also important to note that terrorist attacks on educational institutions, such as the MSU, not only undermine the sanctity of places of learning but also pose a direct threat to our shared values. Acts of atrocious extremism have no place in a society that values peace, harmony, and the pursuit of knowledge,” Ejercito stressed.

“Should these attacks go unchecked, the very fabric of our community is at risk. There should be no room for any form of violence and extremism in this society. I call for an in-depth investigation of the bombing incident and urge the authorities to exhaust all possible actions to bring justice to the victims and their families,” the senator appealed.

Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Grace Poe also issued separate statements condemning the “heinous and senseless attack.”

“There is absolutely no space or justification for these kinds of violence in civilized society. I join the call of the Filipino nation on our local and national officials to swiftly investigate this attack and, once identified, to exhaust every means and spare no effort in bringing the perpetrators to justice,” Cayetano said. 

“We decry this bombing incident against innocent civilians, which clearly showed the depravity of groups to terrorize society. We expect our law enforcers to do whatever it takes to bring the perpetrators to justice and go after their networks,” Poe said.

Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid, for his part, assured that the Senate is ready to extend assistance to the family of the victims. 

“Kami po sa Senado ay nakahandang ibigay lahat ng kinakailangang tulong hindi lamang sa mga ahensya na magpapanatili ng kapayapaan, kundi maging sa mga pamilya ng mga naging biktima sa pangyayaring ito (We, in the Senate are ready to provide all the necessary assistance not only to the agencies that will maintain peace, but also to the families of the victims in this incident),” Lapid said.

“Umaapela po tayo sa ating mga kapatid na Muslim at mga Kristiyano sa Mindanao na panatilihin ang hinahon at kapayapaan upang maiwasan ang paglala pa ng sitwasyon sa rehiyon (We appeal to our Muslim brothers and Christians in Mindanao to maintain calm and peace to prevent the situation from worsening in the region),” he added. 

Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, also lamented the massacre that occurred at MSU: “Peace, love and respect are the norms of the day between Muslim & Christian students in MSU before and even after this horrific incident.”

“I am sure the ones responsible are not Muslims nor Christians, they are terrorists!” dela Rosa said.

Sen. Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay and Sen. Robinhood "Robin" Padilla also said they are one with the Filipino people in condemning the attack and bombing of innocent civilians during a religious service inside the MSU gymnasium in Marawi City.

“I urge the PNP and AFP 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,” Binay said. 

Padilla, the only Muslim senator, described the bombing as a "vile crime" considering it occurred while "our Catholic brethren were attending Mass."

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva also finds the incident “truly saddening and disgusting.”

“The fact that this 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,” Villanueva said.