Xavier University lowered the Philippine flag at its campus in observance of the national day of mourning, Friday, January 30, for the 44 members of the Philippine National Police - Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) who died in the recent Maguindanao clash and offered a mass for peace and solidarity at the University Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

XU president Fr Roberto C Yap SJ said in a statement, “Xavier University joins the nation in mourning all those who perished in Mamasapano and we grieve and pray with those who lost their loved ones. We beg the merciful and compassionate God of peace to grant us his consolation.”

"In the name of the one God of compassion and mercy, Xavier University joins the call to stand for a true, just and lasting peace."

Fr Yap related the words of Pope Francis on leading peace to our country, "We take to heart the words of Pope Francis, ‘Peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and protected … Never has the use of violence brought peace in its wake.'"

In the aftermath of the Mamasapano encounter, Fr Yap also encouraged everyone to follow the counsel of Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio J Ledesma SJ DD: “All the more that we should be together behind the peace process … the strategy we must take here, despite the outbreak of violence is to move towards peace.”