MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) — Malacañang on Sunday joined the worldwide condemnation of the terror attacks that occurred in Paris over three days that left 17 people dead.
In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. also extended the Palace’s sympathies to the families of the victims of the terror attacks.
“Unang-una, nakikiisa tayo sa pamahalaan ng France at sa buong mundo sa pagkondena sa pagpaslang ng mga mamamahayag, pulis, at pagdamay ng mga inosenteng sibilyan sa mga naganap na terror attacks at hostage-taking sa Paris nitong mga nakaraang araw,” Secretary Coloma said.
“Maigting ang ating paniniwala at paninindigan sa kahalagahan ng pagtataguyod ng kalayaan sa pamamahayag at ang pangangalaga sa kaligtasan ng lahat ng manggagawa sa industriya ng pangmadlang komunikasyon sa alinmang panig ng daigdig,” he added.
Coloma assured the public that the government’s intelligence community, the military and the police are focused on ensuring security in the country, especially in the lead-up to Pope Francis’ visit starting week.
Two separate terror attacks rocked Paris from Jan. 7 to Jan. 9.
On Jan. 7, two gunmen entered the office of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and opened fire at an editorial meeting, killing 12 people, including the magazine’s editor and two police officers.
Meanwhile, a lone gunman shot dead a policewoman on Jan. 8 and took several people hostage at a supermarket the following day. Police stormed the supermarket on Jan. 9, killed the gunman and rescued 15 hostages. Four hostages were however killed.
Also on Jan. 9, police cornered the two suspects, who were brothers, in the attack on Charlie Hebdo and shot them dead. (PNA)