PH Condoles With Syria Following ISIS Massacre That Left 200 Dead

27 July 2018 – The Philippines today expressed its condolences to Syria after Islamic militants massacred more than 200 people in a series of attacks in the southern part of the country.

At the same time, the Department of Foreign Affairs issued an advisory reminding the remaining Filipinos in Syria to take the necessary precautions following the coordinated attacks by the Islamic State in the province of Sweida.

“We grieve with the families of the more than 200 people who lost their lives in the latest acts of terror by the Islamic State,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said.

The Secretary said the Philippine Embassy in Damascus has reported that at least 150 other people were wounded in the attacks but said there were no Filipinos among the casualties.

Chargè d’Affaires Alex Lamadrid said the Embassy is in touch with two Filipinas in Sweida who are married to Syrian nationals. Both reported that they and their children were safe.

“We again call on our remaining kababayan in Syria to be vigilant and to take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety and security,” Chargè d’Affaires Lamadrid said.

The Embassy, at the same time, said it remains ready to assist any of the estimated 1,000 Filipinos still in Syria who may want to be repatriated back to the Philippines. END