10 March 2004, Ankara, Turkey – Foreign Affairs  Secretary Delia Domingo Albert today said that the  cowardly attack last night against innocent civilians  is reprehensible and reiterated that terrorist acts do  nothing but only damage the very causes that  terrorists might seek to espouse.  The Secretary made  this statement from Ankara where she is currently on  an official visit.

Two suicide bombers attacked a Masonic lodge in  Istanbul last night, killing one person in addition to  one of the bombers, and injuring six others, including  the other bomber.

“The Philippines condemns this bombing attack and  shares with the government and people of Turkey the  desire to see that justice is done,” Secretary Albert  said.  “We grieve for the family of the victim and  pray for the safe recovery of those injured,” she  added

“The Philippines and Turkey share many common values,  among them our strong desire to continue living   peacefully in a tolerant society, side-by-side with  those who may have different faiths and beliefs,” the  Secretary said.

“Like Turkey, the Philippines has had its problems.  But, like Turkey, we also give the highest regard to  tolerance and the rule of law.  We share this vision  with Turkey and many other countries who believe that  differences in religion should not be a cause for  division or violence,” Secretary Albert emphasized.

“I look forward to my meeting with high government  officials here in Turkey and we will share with them  our thoughts and plans to foster greater dialogue and  understanding among civilizations and religions,” the  Secretary said.

The Philippines had also strongly condemned four major  suicide bombings in Turkey that struck two synagogues,  the British consulate and a British-owned bank in  November 2003. In those bombings, 61 people were  killed and 644 injured. END.