COMMISSION on Higher Education Chairman Prospero De Vera III said that the “horrific” gun attack on Sunday at the Ateneo de Manila University stressed the need to keep campuses safe.

“In addition to the tragic loss of lives, such events lead to post-traumatic distress among victims and to those who have witnessed these,” De Vera said in a statement.

Killed in the attack were former Lamitan City Mayor Rose Furigay, her aide Victor Capistrano, and a university security guard identified by Ateneo publication The Guidon as Jeneven Bandiala.

The ex-mayor’s daughter Hannah was wounded and taken to the hospital.

De Vera said that he personally knew Furigay and her husband, Mayor Oric Furigay. He extended the commission’s condolences to the families of the victims.

“CHED, and the entire higher education community, condemn this act of violence committed inside a higher education institution. We entrust our law enforcement authorities to bring to justice those responsible for this,” he said.

The Ateneo de Manila, on the other hand, said students, staff and guests were “dealing with trauma from the incident.”

“It has robbed the members of the Law School class of 2022 of what was supposed to be a joyous celebration,” the university said.

ADMU condemned the incident.

“There is no acceptable reason for violence. We hope and pray that justice will be swiftly served,” it said.

The university gave assurances that its campuses are safe and security protocols are now being reviewed and strengthened.