SENATORS JV Ejercito, Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr., Sherwin Gatchalian and Risa Hontiveros condemned in the strongest terms the shooting at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City that left three persons dead.

The target of the gunman was former Lamitan Mayor Rose Furigay. However, her aide and a security guard were also killed in the attack.

Ejercito said the fact that the assassination took place in a learning institution and against the backdrop of a graduation ceremony makes it even more abonimable.

“Without a doubt, we must not let this cowardly act, which resulted in Furigay’s tragic death and wounded her daughter—who was one of this year’s graduates at the Ateneo Law School—go unpunished and pave the way for similar acts of violence,” Ejercito said.

“I call on our law enforcers to swiftly determine all persons involved in the planning and execution of this plot and ensure that justice will be served at the soonest possible time,” he added.

Meanwhile, Revilla stressed that violence like this should have no place in society.

“This cannot be the kind of world we will raise our children in. Marapat lamang na bigyang hustisya ang naganap na krimen na ito at panagutin ang mga may sala. Higit pa riyan, kailangang siguraduhin na hindi na muli dadanak ang dugo nang dahil sa galit at poot,” Revilla said.

He commended the Philippine National Police for the immediate arrest of the suspect.

Gatchalian said any act of violence should have no place in society, especially inside  learning institutions which should provide safe spaces for students.

“Walang lugar ang ano mang uri ng karahasan sa ating mga paaralan. Bilang isang mambabatas, patuloy tayong makikipag-ugnayan at makikipag-tulungan sa iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan upang tiyakin na ang ating mga paaralan ay ligtas para sa lahat ng mga mag-aaral,” Gatchalian said.

Meanwhile, Hontiveros said that schools should never have to deal with these kinds of cruel attacks.

She urged Ateneo to provide the needed psychosocial support for the well-being and mental health of anyone in need.