Day of Mourning on December 6 for the deceased victims of the Philippines Bombing

An appeal to observe Wednesday, December 6, as a Day of Mourning for the deceased victims of the bombing of the Marawi State University (MSU) in the Philippines has been circulating online.

Pablo Virgilio David, the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), posted the same appeal on Tuesday.

For the repose of the souls of Junrey Barbante, Janine Arenas, Riza Daniel, and Evangeline Aromin, the appeal is to offer holy masses, light a candle, pray the rosary, and be charitable.

Meanwhile, according to MSU Marawi-Office of Information, Press and Publication, in a meeting on Wednesday afternoon of the MSU Incident Command Center team led by Atty. Rashid Pandi, Presidential Management Staff Director, together with other MSU officials and faculty members, they “discussed all possible responses for all the needs of the students of MSU such as the psychosocial support for all this week.”

“They also tackled about immediate response to students in the hospitals and campus infirmary. Updates were given on the recovery status of the seven patients in Amai Pakpak medical center,” it said.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident and our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and loved ones.  We condemn this heinous act in the strongest possible terms,” said the Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan on Monday in a statement of solidarity with the victims of the December 3 bombing during a Sunday Mass at Ali Dimaporo Gymnasium, inside the MSU- Marawi City campus. 

“We are one with MSU in its statement that violence has no place in a civilized society and that schools are meant to be safe havens for learning, growth, and development of young people to become productive citizens of our society.  The targeting of innocent and educators is an attack on the very fabric of our society.  It is also an attack on the institutions that are supposed to form and protect them,” it said.

“We urgently call on both national and local authorities to conduct a thorough and expeditious investigation into this heartbreaking event, ensuring that those responsible for this horrendous act are swiftly brought to justice,” said Xavier University.

“We join all peace-loving Filipinos in praying for the eternal repose of those Catholic faithful who died, for the recovery of those wounded, and for the strength and consolation of their families and loved ones.  Let us come together as a community to support all those affected and ensure that such acts of violence are never condoned and repeated,” it said.

“Xavier University stands against violence and reaffirms our commitment to fostering a society built on peace, compassion, and justice,” it said.

Xavier University also posted on its social media page “A Prayer for Harmony and Healing.”  (MTV)