We are pleased to inform the public that the situation at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City is back to normal. The unfortunate incident in the evening of Aug. 8, 2012, after the Tarawi prayer in observance of the Holy Month of Ramadan had nothing to do with MSU, except the fact that it happened inside our campus.
There is no truth to the rumor that martial law was declared in the main campus. My office did not issue an order—neither did it receive any from higher authorities—regarding suspension of classes. Hence, faculty members, students and employees should report to their classes or offices. Some university officials reported to me that despite that incident, some classes were held the following day. Likewise, the processing of payroll, vouchers and other claims went on as usual. Heads of academic and administrative units in the main campus have been reporting regularly to their respective offices.
In fact, immediately after the incident, I began coordinating with Col. Daniel Lucero, the brigade commander of the 103rd Brigade of the Philippine Army, and with PNP provincial director Col. Romeo Magsalos on how to ensure security in the main campus and the safety of the members of our community in order to diffuse the tension. Also, I promptly instructed the director of MSU’s Human Resource and Management Division, Prof. Said M. Makil, to inform those concerned that all students and employees including those residing within the MSU campus could pass through Gate 2 or the Cabingan entrance road as the main gate was temporarily closed, while the Scene of the Crime Operatives and the National Bureau of Investigation were conducting ocular inspection of the scene of the crime. This allowed students and employees of MSU to report to their classes and offices, respectively.
We would like to assure the public that the incident was an isolated case, that the peace and order situation at MSU is now back to normal and that, we, along with the authorities are doing our level best to ensure the safety of MSU and its community.
Finally, I am appealing to some misinformed individuals to stop spreading lies through text messaging as these create fear and sow dissension among university constituents. Mabuhay ang MSU!
—MACAPADO A. MUSLIM, Ph.D.,
president, Mindanao State University