The Philippine Government and People condemn and deplore in the strongest terms the series of explosions that rocked several public areas in London yesterday.  The Philippine Embassy in London has reported to me that as of today, 37 people were killed in yesterday’s blasts and hundreds have been injured.  We strongly condemn this dastardly act.  We extend our sympathies and condolences to the victims and their families.

The terrorist bombings were cowardly crimes that targeted not only the British people but also the rest of the world. The Philippines expresses its solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom in facing this menace to human society and hopes that all those responsible of this despicable act of terror will be brought to justice.

The Filipino people do share in the pain and sorrow of our friends in the United Kingdom.  We are not strangers to terrorist attacks and we can empathize with the British as they go through the painful process of coming to grips with this naked act of senseless violence.

In sorrow and loss, we are nevertheless strengthened as the civilized world is compelled to solidly unite against the menace of international terrorism.

Towards this goal, we note that the Philippines and the United Kingdom have conducted various projects to fight terrorism such as the Police Training Assistance Program, which is part of the UK Counter-Terrorism Package to the Philippines.

Proud to be counted in the front ranks of those fighting terrorism in all its forms, the Philippines reiterates its unswerving commitment to combat terrorism in our own region and even in other parts of the globe.  END
 

/jay