Malacañang on Tuesday welcomed the renewed offer of Russian President Vladimir Putin to help the Philippines combat terrorism in light of last Sunday’s fatal Jolo blasts.
“We welcome all of them. They (Russian government) have not said (which type of assistance) but siguro in terms of military equipment and intelligence reports,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing.
A blast hits a church in the city of Jolo in the Philippines. The President's condolences https://t.co/4HuHy5iIbr— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) January 27, 2019
In a message posted on his official website on Jan. 27, Putin reiterated his government’s “readiness” to boost partnership with the Philippines in fighting terrorism.Malacañang on Tuesday welcomed the renewed offer of Russian President Vladimir Putin to help the Philippines combat terrorism in light of last Sunday’s fatal Jolo blasts.
“We welcome all of them. They (Russian government) have not said (which type of assistance) but siguro in terms of military equipment and intelligence reports,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing.
In a message posted on his official website on Jan. 27, Putin reiterated his government’s “readiness” to boost partnership with the Philippines in fighting terrorism.
“I would like to reiterate our readiness to further step up interaction with our Philippine partners in combating the terrorist threat in all its forms and manifestations,” the Russian leader said.
“A crime committed against civilians who had congregated for church services is shocking in its cynicism and cruelty. I expect that the masterminds and perpetrators of this crime will sustain the punishment they deserve,” he added.
Putin was also said to have “sent condolences to President of the Republic of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte in connection with the tragic aftermath of the terrorist attack in Jolo.”
DUTERTE’S IDOL
Duterte has been vocal about his admiration to the Russian leader.
However, the chief executive’s Russia visit in May 2017 was cut short when the war broke out in Marawi City.
The Russian government had later donated military equipment to the Philippines in forms of multipurpose vehicles, Kalashnikov assault rifles, ammunition and steel helmets through Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. It was a first-ever visit by a Russian defense minister to the Philippines.
Duterte thanked Putin for the aid and had credited him for helping “turn the tide” in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) fight against Islamic State-inspired terrorists in Marawi.
INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT, CONDOLENCES POUR IN
Apart from Russia, other governments have sent condolences and offered assistance to the families of the victims of the twin blasts at Sulu’s Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel that killed at least 20 people.
Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda, for his part, vowed to continue supporting the Philippines “in achieving sustainable peace and stability in Mindanao” especially with the looming political transition under the newly-ratified Bangsamoro Organic Law.
In a statement dated Jan. 28, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs likewise “utterly condemned” the church attack and said France stands alongside the Philippines in its counterterrorism efforts.
Panelo said this shower of support was proof that terrorism is a worldwide problem, “hence all countries in the world must unite in fighting and stopping it.”
‘JUST A CAUTION’
Meanwhile, Panelo said United Kingdom’s issuance of travel warning against travelling to some parts of Mindanao was a “normal” security measure and should not be a cause for alarm.
“That’s a natural reaction from all governments, but that doesn’t mean na hindi nila pinapupunta. They’re just cautioning them,” Panelo said.
France has also issued a travel warning “on the archipelagos of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and the island of Basilan, south and west of Mindanao, as well as in the southern half of Palawan Island.”
AFP earlier attributed the attack to the Ajang-Ajang faction linked to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), but a report said the Islamic State group had owned up to the deadly bombings.
Source: TV5
Source: TV5