House adopts resolution condemning MSU bombing

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has adopted a resolution condemning the bombing at the Mindanao State University in Marawi, Lanao del Sur last Sunday and urging authorities to swiftly investigate the incident.

During the session on Wednesday, House Resolution No. 1504 was adopted via viva voce voting.

The resolution was introduced by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, and Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, Jude A. Acidre, and Zia Alonto Adiong.

“The House of Representatives condemns this act of violence perpetrated against innocent students and undertaken in a place of learning. I condole with the families of those who died and sympathize with those injured in the blast,” Romualdez said.

The resolution also urged a quick investigation of the incident by the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, and other law enforcement agencies.

“It was reported that the terrorist attack happened after military actions against local terrorist groups in the region resulted in the death of a group leader of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group, which linked to the ISIS that previously attempted to establish Marawi as part of the caliphate resulting in a five-month conflict causing numerous casualties in 2017,” the resolution read.

“There is an urgent need for a thorough investigation of this incident by the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, and all government agencies concerned, to determine the perpetrators of these senseless and horrific killings,” it added.

According to reports, four individuals died and 50 others were injured in the bomb explosion, which took place during a Catholic Mass at the MSU gymnasium on Sunday.

Several top government officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., condemned the incident, with the chief executive vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Islamic State (IS) militants claimed responsibility for the bombing.