MSU in-person classes to resume December 11 after deadly bomb attack

Face-to-face classes and academic activities in Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City will resume on December 11 after the deadly bomb attack last Sunday. 

“In-person classes and academic activities resume on the 11th of December 2023 and end on the 22nd of December 2023,” MSU said in a memorandum dated Thursday.

Victims of the explosion will be exempted from attending classes and complying with academic requirements during the period of their recuperation.

More military, police, and other security personnel will be deployed to the campus. Regular inspections will be conducted in offices, classrooms, and other buildings.

The decision was made in coordination with the military, police, city and provincial governments, as well as school and student officials, according to MSU.

MSU also announced that mental health and psychosocial support services will be offered to all students and faculty.

“While acknowledging the anxiety and distress the incident has caused among our constituents, the university assures its community of comprehensive measures being undertaken to create a safe and conducive environment for learning and working,” MSU said.

“We urge everyone to cooperate with our security personnel and report any suspicious activity immediately. Your vigilance and cooperation are vital in ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone on campus,” it added.

Four people died in the MSU explosion which took place while a mass was being held inside the Dimaporo Gymnasium. Thirty-nine people wee also hurt in the incident.

Two alleged members of DI-Maute Group identified as Kadapi Mimbesa or “Engineer” and Arsani Membesa or “Khatab'' have been named as suspects in the explosion.

Mimbesa is a former MSU student who took up BS Agricultural Engineering. Alias Khatab, meanwhile, is wanted for murder.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines earlier admitted that there was a failure in intelligence "in a way" in the deadly bomb attack,

“So in a way, parang yes, there is a failure. But whether meron po bang accountability iyong mga tao, iyon po ang iimbestigahan natin,” he added.

(So in a way, it seems yes, there is a failure. But whether the personnel have accountability over this, we will have to investigate.) —Jovilland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News