Senators condemn killing of university president in CDO

Senators on Sunday condemned the killing of University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) president Dr. Ricardo Rotoras, urging authorities to beef up efforts to arrest the individuals responsible for the professor's death.

In a statement, Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III condemned Rotoras' killing in the "strongest terms."

“I am alarmed and outraged by this latest attack on our law abiding and dedicated public servants," he said.

"I urge the police to work double time to arrest the killers and unmask the mastermind,” he added.

Initial investigation showed that Rotoras was shot several times by two unidentified assailants at past 1 a.m. in front of his house in an exclusive subdivision in Cagayan de Oro City.

He sustained eight bullet wounds in different parts of his body.

"We are a peace-loving society and killings of this nature must be stopped. The police must do its job to protect and secure the people against rouge elements of society,” Pimentel said.

Senator Francis Pangilinan echoed Pimentel's statement, adding that his death was a "great loss" to the country as it pushes for quality education for all Filipino students.

Roturas was also the president of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC).

"We call on authorities to leave no stone unturned to ensure that those behind the killing be brought to justice and punished for their deplorable act," Pangilinan said.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Escudero called Rotoras' death "unacceptable and enraging."

“While I extend my deepest sympathies to the bereaved family as well as to the USTP community, I join the academe in mourning the death of Dr. Rotoras, whose efforts to help improve the country’s higher education system will not be forgotten," he said.

"His untimely passing is a great loss not only to his family, friends and colleagues, but to the whole higher education sector as well,“ he added.

Escudero likewise called on the Philippine National Police to act swiftly on the case and exert all efforts to bring the suspects to justice. —Erwin Colcol/ALG, GMA News