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'Part of us died with them': Mindanao State University mourns Marawi bombing victims

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ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Mindanao State University (MSU) on Tuesday condoled with the families of 4 Mass goers who were killed during a bomb attack in the campus last weekend. </p><p>The blast happened on Sunday during a morning Catholic service at MSU&#x27;s gymnasium in Marawi, the country&#x27;s largest Muslim city, which was besieged by militant groups in 2017. </p><p>In a Facebook post, the university offered &quot;our deepest, sincerest condolences&quot; to the families of the 4 people killed in the explosion, namely, Junrey Barbante, Janine Arenas, Evangeline Aromin, and Riza Daniel. <br/> <br/>No other information on the victims was immediately available. </p><p>&quot;We pray that your departed loved ones rest in peace and be given the justice they so deserve. We join you in your pain, and to be honest, a part of us, of every MSUan died along with them,&quot; MSU System President Basari Mapupuno said, addressing the victims&#x27; families. </p><div><script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.5" async="" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/msumain.oipp/posts/pfbid0Cyx8n3qC9AqXeXWXGZnFPkaj9Zv7oye33tHcorapgv9GRdYAHsqzhqcJa3igFSyZl" data-width="auto"> </div><p>The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the blast from an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_Dkysj0a88&amp;pp=ygUOYWJzIGNibiBtYXJhd2k%3D">improvised explosive device</a>. </p><p>Before Islamic State claimed the attack, military chief General Romeo Brawner said the bombing might have been a revenge attack for government operations against three Islamist militant groups -- Dawlah Islamiyah-Philippines, Abu Sayyaf and Maute -- in western Mindanao in recent days. </p><p>President Ferdinand <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/03/23/marcos-condemns-marawi-blast-calls-for-calm-as-probe-starts">Marcos Jr.</a> has condemned the attack by &quot;foreign terrorists&quot;, describing it as &quot;senseless&quot; and &quot;heinous&quot;, while <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/03/23/pope-francis-sends-assurance-to-victims-of-marawi-blast">Pope Francis</a> offered his prayers for the victims.<br/> <br/>Pro-Islamic State Maute and Abu Sayyaf militants -- including foreign and local fighters -- held Marawi under siege in 2017.</p><p>The Philippine military wrested back the ruined city after a five-month battle that claimed more than 1,000 lives.</p><p>&quot;There are strong indications of a foreign element (in Sunday&#x27;s attack),&quot; Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro told reporters.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/03/23/foreign-terrorist-involvement-eyed-in-marawi-blast">Foreign terrorist involvement eyed in Marawi blast</a></li></ul><div><strong>— With a report from Agence France-Presse </strong></div>

The Mindanao State University condoled with the families of 4 Mass goers who were killed during a bomb attack in the campus last weekend. 