August 1st, 2022
Albay 2nd district Representative Joey Sarte Salceda (ADMU BSME ’82) released the following statement in response to the shooting incident during the Ateneo de Manila University Law School Graduation today, at the university’s Loyola Heights campus:
“I am continuing to monitor with concern the recent shooting incident in the Ateneo de Manila University campus. 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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”