BASILAN Rep. Mujiv Hataman, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Sunday condemned the shooting incident at the graduation ceremony of the Ateneo Law School inside the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.

Hataman lamented the incident that killed three people.

“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.

“Kasama na ang nangyari sa kanyang anak na babae na nasugatan sa pamamaril na gawa ng nahuling salarin. 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,” Hataman said.

“The PNP strongly condemns this criminal act. We are assuring the public that this incident doesn’t represent the entire peace and order situation in the country,” said PNP Public Information Office chief, Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus B. Alba.

Alba added the PNP immediately responded to the scene of the incident and the gun man was arrested right away. Probe is ongoing and appropriate charges will be filed against the suspect.

PNP OIC Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. assured everyone that the PNP is on top of the situation and stiffer security measures are being implemented especially in Quezon City and the rest of Metro Manila, he added

The DILG sincerely sympathized with the family of the victims and assured to strengthen the case against the suspect, file the necessary charges, and ensure that the suspect will languish behind bars.

“We likewise commend PNP Quezon City Police District and the Anonas Police Station for their swift action that led to the immediate arrest of the suspect,” the DILG added.

“The incident is especially concerning in light of how close the date and the place is to the Batasan Complex, where the State of the Nation Address will be held,” Salceda said.

“While it will be speculative at this point to guess at the motives for the incident, I call on our police and law enforcement authorities to remain on high alert, to ensure that similar incidents do not disrupt our traditional democratic traditions and ceremonies tomorrow,” he said.

“I call on the public not to magnify or speculate about the incident, especially theories ascribing some terroristic or conspiratorial motive to the event. Let us leave the investigation to the authorities. Outside reasonable caution, it will be counterproductive to make this incident bigger than it should be,” Salceda said.

“I also join the Ateneo community in praying for the safety of everyone, and for the speedy resolution of this case. I hope that the future lawyers in the Ateneo graduating class of 2022 will not be dissuaded from their incoming responsibilities as officers of the court and instruments of law, order, and justice,” said Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda.

“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. I urge the authorities to prosecute the perpetrator of this dastardly crime to the full extent of the law,” Hataman said.

“At kay Lamitan Mayor Oric Furigay, ang aming taos-pusong pakikiramay. Madaming nagawa si Mayor Rose para sa Lamitan dahil sa kanyang progresibong liderato na dahilan upang magawaran ang lungsod ng Seal of Good Local Governance mula 2016 hanggang 2019. 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,” Hataman added

Salceda “this brazen act of violence, especially during a solemn and momentous occasion for graduates and their families, has no place in our society. I condole with the families of those who lost their lives in the incident.” By RYAN PONCE PACPACO, ALFRED DALIZON & JUN I. LEGASPI