Senators on Sunday denounced the bombing at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City which left at least four people dead and 11 others injured.

In a statement, Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri said the bombing, which took place during a Sunday mass service at the school's gymnasium was "completely heartless."

"It is disheartening to see such violence play out in Marawi once again, years after the siege and well into a period of newfound peace enjoyed by our brothers and sisters under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao," Zubiri said.

He noted that the bombing incident was "alarming" as the brazen attack on a state university during a Catholic Mass.

"No one should have to feel unsafe in places of learning and places of worship," the Senate chief stressed.

Zubiri called for the coordinated efforts of the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous government to "leave no stone unturned" in bringing justice to victims.

Likewise, he urged the authorities to "restore the peace that we have worked hard to gain in Marawi over the past six years."

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda also denounced the bombing incident which she described as an "act of terrorism."

"Such senseless and cowardly acts of violence have no place in any society and must be met with the full force of justice," Legara said in a separate statement.

"The bombing occurred during a religious occasion, underscoring the need for greater understanding and respect for diverse religious practices and beliefs," she added.

Legarda also called on the government and authorities to ensure the safety of the public.

"It is crucial for us to stand united, demonstrating resilience and solidarity in the face of such acts of violence," she said.

'More disturbing'

Echoing the sentiments of his fellow lawmakers, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva also denounced the bombing at the MSU which he tagged as "more disturbing" as it occurred within the premise of a school.

"It is truly saddening and disgusting that a sacred occasion to give honor and praise to the Lord ended in a horrific tragedy," Villanueva said.

"The fact that this took place within a school, a place that should be a safe place for our students, teachers, and the community, makes it even more disturbing," he added.

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito also expressed his sympathy with the victims who perished in the tragic bombing incident.

"My heart goes out to the families affected by this devastating incident, and we stand in solidarity with the grieving community," Ejercito said.

"I condemn in the strongest possible terms this heinous act of violence as it goes against the fundamental principles of the right to freedom of religion," he added.

Ejercito noted the terrorist attack at the MSU "not only undermine the sanctity of places of learning but also pose a direct threat to our shared values."

"Acts of atrocious extremism have no place in a society that values peace, harmony, and the pursuit of knowledge. Should these attacks go unchecked, the very fabric of our community is at risk," he said.

"There should be no room for any form of violence and extremism in this society," he added.

He continued: "I call for an in-depth investigation of the bombing incident and urge the authorities to exhaust all possible actions to bring justice to the victims and their families."

For her part, Senator Imee Marcos called on the law enforcers to "punish to the utmost the perpetrators of this heinous crime."

"The historic injustice of Mindanao cannot be allowed to persist, nor should the horrific siege of Marawi ever be repeated," she said.

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, meanwhile, attributed the bombing incident at the MSU to terrorists.

"Peace, love, and respect are the norms of the day between Muslim and Christian students in MSU before and even after this horrific incident," Dela Rosa said.

"I am sure the ones responsible are not Muslims nor Christians, they are terrorists," he added.

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, likewise, condemned what he described as a "cowardly terrorist attack."

"I strongly condemn this cowardly terrorist attack during a mass inside MSU Marawi this morning that killed numerous innocent people and injured many others," Go said.
He stressed that ensuring the safety of students in schools from terrorist threats is a "paramount priority for fostering a secure learning environment."

"The function of terrorism is to terrorize people. If we allow ourselves to be terrorized, terrorists win. As such, we must remain united and should not allow this crime to trigger sectarian hatred and further animosity among Filipino people," he said.

"Our brothers and sisters in Marawi have already emerged from the dark ashes of the Marawi Siege. We must not let another terrorist act derail efforts of achieving long-term peace and development in Marawi City, where people of different faiths have historically co-existed in harmony and mutual respect," he added.

Step up

For her part, Senator Nancy Binay called on authorities to "step up" their intelligence efforts against terrorism plots across the country.

"I am calling on the PNP and AFP to step up their intelligence efforts and their fight against the presence of lawless elements, and groups that terrorize society," Binay said.

"We are all for peace in Mindanao, and we will not be cowed by threats or terror," she added.

Senator Grace Poe made the same call to authorities.

"We expect our law enforcers to do whatever it takes to bring the perpetrators to justice and go after their network," Poe said.

"The crackdown against unlawful elements, including terrorists, will be relentless with the vigilance of our local communities," she added.

She continued: "We stand with the Marawi people in condemning violence and preserving our hard-won feats toward peace and development in the region."