Philippines deplores Norway bomb, gun attacks

The Philippines on Saturday deplored the bomb blast and shooting incident in Norway, a host to nearly 22,000 Filipinos. “The Philippines deplores the tragic twin attacks in Norway yesterday and extends its condolences to the Norwegian government and people, especially the victims’ families," Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said in a statement. Last Friday, a gunman dressed in police uniform opened fire at a youth summer camp on an island there, killing at least 80 youths. Hours earlier, a bomb killed seven in the government district in the capital Oslo. Filipinos safe so far The Philippine Embassy in Oslo initially reported that there are no Filipinos adversely affected by the two incidents. Philippine Charge d’Affaires Maria Louella Duarte added that the embassy is in touch with the leaders of the Filipino community there. Duarate said the embassy has issued an advisory to the community members, including Filipino nurses working in hospitals, “to immediately contact embassy officials should they be aware of any Filipino needing assistance." Meanwhile, the DFA said those in the Philippines may contact the embassy, which, in turn, will try to reach the former’s relatives in Oslo. The embassy may be contacted through telephone numbers (+47) 224-00900 (+47) 224-00900 or e-mail address philembassy.oslo@gmail.com. — JE, GMA News