Nation

MARCOS SHOCKED, SADDENED BY ATENEO SHOOTING

/ 25 July 2022

PRESIDENT Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. on Sunday said he was shocked and saddened by the shooting incident at the Ateneo de Manila University that killed former Lamitan City Mayor Rose Furigay and two others.

“We are shocked and saddened by the events at the Ateneo graduation today. We mourn with the bereaved, the wounded, and those whose scars from this experience will run deep,” Marcos wrote on Facebook.

“We commit our law enforcement agencies to thoroughly and swiftly investigate these killings and bring all involved to justice,” he added.

Marcos also offered prayers to the graduates, their families, the Ateneo community and to residents of Quezon City and Basilan.

In a separate statement, Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman condemned the shooting incident.

“We condemn in the strongest terms possible the fatal shooting of former Lamitan City Mayor Rose Furigay and that of her bodyguard and a security personnel in the Ateneo de Manila University,” Hataman said.

“Ang krimen ay nangyari sa loob ng unibersidad ng Ateneo sa araw ng pagtatapos ng mga mag-aaral ng institusyon, kung saan ang anak ni Mayor Rose ay kabilang sa mga graduates,” he added.

“Kaya mas lalong nakakalungkot ang nangyari kay Mayor Rose, isang magulang na buong kagalakang dumadalo sa pagtatapos ng kanyang anak, na isa sanang masayang kaganapan na sinira ng walang saysay na karahasan,” he said.

While the gunman has been arrested, Hataman urged authorities to determine the mastermind of the crime.

He also offered condolences to Furigay’s family.

“At kay Lamitan Mayor Oric Furigay, ang aming taos-pusong pakikiramay. Dalangin din namin ang mabilis na paggaling ng kanilang anak at ang inyong pagbangon mula sa trahedyang ito. Kasama nyo kami sa panawagan ng hustisya,” he said.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte urged the Quezon City Police District to continue investigating the incident “and ensure that swift justice be attained by the victims and their families.”

“We also extend our sincerest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims who lost their lives in the incident,” she added.