Philippines condemns Jakarta car bomb blast
MANILA, Sept. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- The Philippine government Thursday condemned the car bomb attack that took place near the Australian Embassy in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.
"We condemn this act of violence and there is no justification to this attack against innocent civilians," Philippine Press Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye saidat a press briefing.
Likewise, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo condemned the bombing, saying "this is a despicable act against humanity and freedom. I condemn the perpetrators of this terroristact. The Philippine government and people are one with the Indonesian government and people in mourning the victims of this recent bombing and in their effort to combat terrorism."
Romulo also expressed the Philippine government and people's sadness and concern for the injuries and damages caused to the Australian Embassy, which bore the brunt of the explosion, saying the incident "will only further strengthen the Philippines' commitment and the determination to fight all forms of terrorism."
The Philippine National Police also has been ordered to be extra vigilant against possible terrorist acts marking the third anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.
"With the development in Jakarta, we'll have to take extra precautionary measures to make sure that no similar incident takes place here on the anniversary of the 9/11," Bunye said.
Such security preparedness is necessary in the light of Thursday's powerful bomb blast in Jakarta that left at least three people dead and scores wounded, he added.
Death toll of the blast incident Thursday morning has risen to at least 7, with over 100 others wounded, the ABS-CBN news channel reported.
The Philippine police went on full alert Thursday after the powerful car bomb exploded outside the Australian embassy in central Jakarta.
Police chief Edgardo Aglipay said he has directed the National Capital Region Police Office to assess and evaluate security preparations in embassies in Metro Manila.
Earlier, the National Capital Region Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines put its troops on red alert status against possible terrorist attacks during the upcoming third anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, the military said.
It noted President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's trip on Thursday to Brunei to attend the wedding of Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah Bolkiah and Sarah Salleh was one of the reason for the highest alert, which became effective early Thursday and will last up to Saturday. Enditem
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