MANILA, Feb. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said Friday that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo still enjoys support from the international community.

    Foreign diplomats have strongly indicated their support for the President and the democratic institutions of the Philippines, said Romulo after he briefed the diplomatic corps at the Department of Foreign Affairs, hours after President Arroyo declared a state of emergency.

    Foreign diplomats and representatives from 53 foreign embassies and six international organizations attended Friday's briefing on the declaration of the state of national emergency.

    "I further emphasized to the diplomatic corps that President Arroyo took these decisive actions pursuant to the Constitution," Romulo said.

    The U.S. embassy urged the Philippine authorities to protect human rights and reject violence following the declaration of the state of national emergency.

    In a statement posted on the U.S. embassy website, Washington said: "We call on the government of the Philippines and the Filipino people to respect fully the rule of law, protect civil liberties and human rights, and reject violence."

    Romulo said the officers and staff of the Department of ForeignAffairs, both in Manila and abroad, have declared their support for the Arroyo administration.

    "They remain committed to their oaths of office to support and defend the Constitution of the Philippines and to follow the laws of the country and the lawful orders and directives from the duly constituted authorities of the Republic," Romulo said. Enditem