Cotabato City - Bangsamoro Member of Parliament Abdulbasit R. Benito strongly condemned the recent shooting incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU), urging the public to reject religious prejudice following reports that the alleged shooter is a Moro Muslim.
In a public message dated August 18, 2026, Benito extended his deepest condolences to the grieving families and prayed for the swift recovery of those injured. The lawmaker directly addressed circulating reports indicating that the alleged perpetrator is an academically excellent student of Moro descent, appealing to the public to exercise responsibility and restraint in their reactions.
Benito emphasized that the tragic violence should not be used to fuel tribalism, negative stereotyping, or discrimination against any specific community. "The actions of one individual should never be used to judge an entire people, faith, ethnicity, or culture," Benito stated, noting that the Moro people have long strived to promote coexistence and respect. He stressed that the tragedy is not about religion or tribal affiliation; rather, accountability must rest solely on the responsible individual through a fair investigation and the rule of law. Assigning collective blame, he warned, would only deepen societal divisions.
Concluding his message, the MP called upon government officials, community leaders, educators, media practitioners, and social media users to maintain calm and reject inflammatory narratives. He urged the public to honor the victims by reaffirming a shared commitment to peace, justice, and solidarity across all communities, regardless of background.
