RP condemns terrorist bombing in Pakistan hotel

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines on Wednesday condemned the bombing of the Pearl Continental Hotel in Peshawar, Pakistan that claimed the lives of 11 people, including a Filipino woman. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said the Philippine government vows to work with the United Nations system and member states to ensure the safety of all UN personnel. “This senseless terrorist attack on innocent civilians is an unspeakable crime and can never be justified. The Philippine Government affirms its commitment to working with the UN system and Member States in ensuring that this principle is observed," he said in a statement posted on the Department of Foreign Affairs Web site. He noted that among the fatalities in Tuesday night’s blast was long-time Filipino UN International Children’s Fund (Unicef) Staff Worker Perseveranda So. Romulo sympathized with the family and loved ones of So, who worked with Unicef since 1994 and who was serving as chief of education in Pakistan at the time of her death. “The Filipino people joins the Unicef in mourning the loss of an exemplary international civil servant who had dedicated and risked her life to helping Pakistani girls gain access to education," he said. “I have instructed the Philippine Embassy in Islamabad to coordinate with Pakistani and Unicef authorities to facilitate the repatriation of the remains of Ms. So, and to regularly update the department concerning developments," he added. - GMANews.TV