MANILA, Sept. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo Monday deplored the killing of innocent civilians in the hostage-taking incident in Russia and condemned the terrorist act of sowing terror and disorder in the country.

    "The Philippines stands united with Russia in a shared commitment to fight terrorism resolutely and courageously, as thismenace continues to threaten worldwide peace and security," Romulo said in a statement.

    "I convey my sincerest condolences to the Russian Government and most especially to the families of the victims of this terrorist act. The Philippine government and people join them in mourning the loss of their loved ones," Romulo said.

    He expressed profound grief and horror on the deaths of over 340 people, over half of them school children, in the aftermath ofthe take-over by armed attackers a Russian school in Beslan in Northern Ossetia near the border of Chechnya.

    This incident was preceded by the blowing up of two Russian planes on Aug. 24, 2004, resulting in the death of about 89 passengers and crew, and the bombing outside a metro station in Moscow on Aug. 31, 2004, resulting in the death of about 10 bystanders. Enditem