Reports: Pinoy among dead in Taliban attack on USAID compound in Afghanistan

A Filipino is believed to be among those killed after Taliban suicide bombers attacked a compound of the US Agency for International Aid (USAID) in Afghanistan before dawn on Friday. Foreign newswires reported at least five were killed after suicide bombers stormed a USAID compound in northern Afghanistan. According to reports, the attack started past 3 a.m. when a suicide car bomber blew a hole through a wall of the compound, which houses the Development Alternatives Inc., a Washington D.C.-based international consulting company working closely with the USAID. At least five other attackers then stormed the building, killing and wounding security guards and others inside. The attackers, who were reportedly wearing explosive-laden vests, were killed in the ensuing firefight with security forces. There are conflicting reports as to the number of casualties, but at least three news sites, Cable News Network, Radio Free Europe and Los Angeles Times have reported one of the foreigners who died was a Filipino. The Department of Foreign Affairs has said it is coordinating with the Philippine Embassy in Islamabad to confirm the reports. DFA spokesperson Eduardo Malaya clarified there is an existing ban on deploying workers to Afghanistan given the volatile situation there.—Jerrie M. Abella/JV, GMANews.TV