By Myris Lee
“Terrorism has no place in sports” this was the statement of Philippine Sports Commission Chairperson William Butch Ramirez regarding the recent bus bombing in Maguindanao that hurt four sepak takraw athletes and their coach.
“The PSC strongly condemns this act of terrorism. There is no justification for purposely causing pain on any person, especially ones which could possibly become fatal like this bombing,” he said.
“This cowardly act aimed to terrorize the public included athletes among its victims whose budding athletic future are unfairly dimmed by this horrible atrocity,” he added.
The sepak takraw squad is set to join the qualifying event for the ASEAN School Games in Dipolog City, but the chance to wear the Philippine tricolors internationally was cut off before they even began their fight.
According to reports, the bus bombing happened while the entire kick volleyball team had a stopover for breakfast together with the passengers, driver, and conductor.
The injured sepak takraw squad is now in a stable condition as the police responded quickly to the incident which happened a few kilometers away from the Philippine National Police headquarters in the Bangsamoro Region. – ag
