CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Two students of the Mindanao State University-Marawi Main campus were mercilessly killed inside the campus on September 14, 2021, at around 6 in the evening.
Marawi City Police identified the victims as Hamza Rauf, 3rd yr. Physical Education student, and Zinal Omar, 3rd yr. civil engineering student.
Marawi City Police Chief Police Lt.Col. Nelson Madiwo said that the victims were gunned down in the vicinity of the campus’ commercial center. He claimed “We have two suspects. They were riding a scooter with no plate number,” Madiwo said.
Madiwo added they recovered four empty shells from a .40 caliber pistol, “We now have information on the suspects and we are conducting hot pursuit operations right now,” Madiwo said.
Lanao del Sur Provincial Director Col. Christopher Panapan said that the police are conducting an investigation, and had set up checkpoints to capture the suspects.
STUDENTS DEMANDS JUSTICE, SAFETY INSIDE MSU CAMPUS
MSU’s Student publication The Mindanao Varsitarian condemned the killings and demands justice for the victims.
“As a student-friendly institution, the Mindanao State University should uphold utmost peace and security among its students and staff. Such cases not only stain the good image of the university but also result to fear among students and hinder them from continuing their usual lives within the campus vicinity,” the Varsitarian said.
“We demand strengthened, consistent, and working security mechanism in the campus. We do not want to witness another killing of an MSUan,” The Varsitarian added.
MSU student leader Abdul Rafie Ramos Masbud, President of MSU-College of Education Student Council asked the administration of MSU to assure their safety while studying inside the campus.
“We, students of Mindanao State University-Main Campus are still traumatized by the immoralities happening inside the campus. We cannot assure to ourselves how safe are we,” Masbud said.
“Two of our fellow MSU-Students were killed by unknown (assailants). Is “killing students” become (the) norm inside the campus? Are we getting used to being told of “may nabaril na naman na msu-student (another MSU student gunned down)?” asked Masbud.
Masbud added that killings inside the campus are repeatedly happening and asked the administration of MSU-Main campus to address the killings taking place inside the campus.
“At this point, either you’re Meranaw or Christian they will do it, they still kill. Heartbreaking at the same time stressing, stressing in such a way that these things are repeatedly happening,” Masbud added.
Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong, Jr. also condemned the murder inside the MSU campus.
“We demand justice for the two MSU students who were mercilessly shot and killed inside the campus yesterday. This is a brutal act, which the City Police of Marawi needs to investigate, for the culprits to be rightfully punished. Our sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims, Omar M. Zinal and Rauf Hamza,” Adiong said.
LIST OF MURDERS INSIDE MSU CAMPUS
MSU Main campus has seen violent attacks inside its green, forest sprawling campus over the years:
The incidents include an ambush on August 8, 2012, which killed a boy and three soldiers from the 103rd Infantry Brigade while 10 others were wounded.
On October 25, 2012 -; University professor Othello Cobal and Erwin Diaz, 22, are graduating students of hotel and restaurant management, were killed while their hands were tied behind their back while Diaz’s 14-year old younger sister Estrella died on November 17 due to second-degree burns.
-On June 12, 2014 -Samuel Go, III was shot dead at the Commercial Center.
-On December 8, 2014 -Crish Lanne Masancay was also shot at the MSU commercial center;
-On January 29, 2014 -Jovert Algoso, a balut vendor was shot dead inside the campus ‘
Police authorities vowed to pursue their investigation and give justice to the families.-Bobby Lagsa
