President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday condemned the attempted assassination of Republican Party candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump during his political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Marcos issued his statement against political violence on his social media accounts several hours after the former U.S. President was shot in the right ear, leaving one rally attendee and the shooter dead on Sunday (Manila time).
“It is with great relief that we receive the news that former President Donald Trump is fine and well after the attempt to assassinate him. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family,” Marcos said.
“Together with all [democracy-loving] peoples around the world, we condemn all forms of political violence. The voice of the people must always remain supreme,” he added.
The U.S. Secret Service, responsible for protecting current and former U.S. Presidents, confirmed that the Republican Party candidate is safe after Trump’s right ear was grazed.
Media reports indicated that a bystander, identified as the alleged shooter of Trump, was confirmed dead after being shot by Secret Service snipers.
US President Joe Biden and other political figures in the US likewise decried the attack and said “there is no place in America” for political violence.
Former U.S. president George Bush also condemned the attack against Trump, calling it a “cowardly” act.
Former U.S. president Barack Obama mentioned there is “absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also said Sunday he was “appalled by the shocking scenes” of the shooting.
“Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack,” he wrote on social media platform X.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meanwhile said political violence is “never acceptable.” (TCSP)
