JUSTICE NOW! AKMK on MARAWI Culture of Killings and Violence in MSU-Marawi campus

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Since 2010, many students and faculty have been victimized by this culture of killings inside the campus, and until now, the culprits still walk freely. Justice was not served. It has never been served. This uncertain situation left a chilling effect on the entire student population, faculty members, staff, and even the MSU residents. As a national peace institution, Mindanao State University needs to promote, uphold, and protect the rights of its constituents.

The AKMK is saddened by the inhumane and morally reprehensible act of violence committed against innocent lives. These acts have no place in society and are under no circumstance tolerable. We condemn the act in the strongest terms possible as it undermines the dignity and humanity of every person. This incident adds to the long list of horrifying acts of violence on the campus many lives have been taken and for the longest time their names have been written in sand; forgotten in time while accountability has become more opaque. This is no more no less an act of terrorism and terror has no space in an institution mandated to bring peace among the diverse people of Mindanao.

It is even more appalling that the terror attack happened during the celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace proving that there is a dire need for a systemic redress on the status of peace and security. The MSU community did not fall short in calling for justice, accountability, and strengthening of security on the premises yet this appears to fall on deaf ears which begs the behavioral integrity of the past leaders who promised change. The failure to fulfill has been consequential to the lives of the MSU constituents and the peace and security in the area. This gravely places the peace in MSU volatile.

Our deepest sympathy and condolences to bereaved families. Our hearts bleed with you. In solidarity, we stand in grief and compassion, and in our call for accountability and justice.

We amplify the call for accountability, justice, transparency, and proactive actions of the authorities. AKMK, together with the MSU students demands from the MSU authorities, residents, local leaders, and security sector to:

1. Conduct transparent, accountable, and immediate investigation on the cases of killings and other criminal cases on the campus to bring justice to the victims;

2. Organize a dialogue with Barangay and Community Leaders, Residents, Security Sector, Students, Faculty, and Staff;

3. Strengthen the community relations and security mechanism centered on the rights and welfare of the students, faculty, staff, and residents on the campus;

4. Establish a Peace and Security Council centered on the rights and welfare of the students, faculty, staff, and residents on the campus; and

5. Conduct Psychosocial Support to the families, colleagues, and friends of the victims.

AKMK stand with the students, faculty, staff, and communities because we believe that MSU is not mandated only to provide quality education but to ensure and defend the rights and welfare of the students, faculty, staff, and residents.

JUSTICE NOW!

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