Foreign diplomats condole with PH following MSU bombing  

Foreign diplomats condole with Philippines after MSU bombing.

Military personnel stand guard at the entrance of a gymnasium while police investigators look for evidence after a bomb attack at Mindanao State University in Marawi, Lanao del sur province on December 3, 2023. (Photo by Merlyn MANOS / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines – Several diplomats on Sunday have expressed support to bring the perpetrators of the bomb attack at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City to justice.

The Philippine National Police confirmed that four people have died and 50 more were injured in the bombing incident.

British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils said that the United Kingdom condemns the “senseless act of violence, especially during Mindanao Peace Week [and] at the start of Advent.”

“We support efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice,” she said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

The United States (US) Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson echoed the calls for justice, saying that the US government supports efforts to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Meanwhile, the European Union Ambassador to the Philippines, Luc Véron, said that “violence has no place in schools” and extended his sympathies to those who lost their loved ones due to the attack.

The Embassy of France in the Philippines likewise offered its condolences to the victims of the attack and assured Filipinos of its solidarity amidst the “despicable terrorist attack.”

The Embassy of Ireland in Manila also offered its sincerest condolences and called on Irish citizens in the country who may have been affected by the attack to contact their office.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, Kazuhiko Koshikawa, reiterated that Japan is committed to support the “peace process to achieve sustainable peace and stability in Mindanao.”

In a statement, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. condemned the deadly bombing at MSU, blaming “foreign terrorists.”

READ: Bongbong Marcos vows to bring ‘ruthless’ MSU-Marawi bombers to justice

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro alluded to the existence of “foreign elements” in the attack but refused to elaborate further so as to not compromise the ongoing investigation.

READ: ‘Foreign terrorists’ behind deadly Marawi bombing–officials

Further, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner said that the bombing was a “retaliatory attack” following a series of military operations against local pro-Islamic State groups.

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