Ambassadors of foreign embassies on Sunday, Dec. 3, condemned the bombing that rocked Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City, which has so far killed four people and injured 50 others.
Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. visits the explosion site in Marawi City. (Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur/Facebook)
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron expressed how “deeply disheartening” the blast at the MSU’s gymnasium where the victims were attending a mass.
“It’s deeply disheartening to learn of today’s explosion at Mindanao Stare University in Marawi. Violence has no place in schools,” he wrote.
The envoy sent solidarity messages to the students and the families of those who perished in the explosion.
“In this difficult time, my thoughts are filled with concern for those students who have suffered injuries, and my sympathy extends to the families who have lost their loved ones,” Veron added.
United States Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson and Ambassador David Hartman of Canada also went on X to extend their government’s condolences.
“My heart goes out to those affected by the Mindanao State University bombing, especially the victims and their loved ones,” she wrote.
“I extend deepest condolences on the part of the U.S. government. We condemn this act of violence and support efforts to hold the perpetrators accountable,” Carlson added.
"We condemn this heinous act of violence and call for the perpetrators to be held responsible," a part of Hartman's post read.
The Embassy of France in the Philippines released a statement as well to offer sympathies to the families of the victims.
“We offer our condolences to the families of the victims and assure the authorities and the Filipino people of our solidarity in the face of this despicable terrorist attack,” she stated.
The Irish Embassy in Manila said it was “deeply saddened by this morning’s bombing at Mindanao State University” and asked Irish citizens to reach out to its emergency line at +63 917 324 4787 for assistance.
“We offer our sincere sympathies to those who have been affected by this act of violence,” the embassy said in a post, which was retweeted by Irish Ambassador to Manila William Carlos.
The explosion rocked MSU’s gymnasium on Sunday morning during a mass.
According to reports, more than 40 people were brought to government hospital Amai Pakpak Medical Center.
Police BGen Allan Nobleza, director of Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), said authorities have yet to determine the motive for the blast, as well as the type of explosive used.
He also said they are looking if the blast is connected to the current operations the military and police have launched in BARMM.