French embassy in PH denounces ‘barbaric’ Paris attack
MANILA, Philippines—The French embassy in the Philippines on Thursday joined in the chorus of condemnation on the attack on French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday which killed 12 people and wounded 11 others.
In a statement, the French embassy in the country said that the “barbaric” incident reminds the world of the importance of freedom of expression.
“This barbaric act sought to silence by fear. Instead, we are all reminded that the foundation of a world of peace and tolerance is one where anybody can express their thoughts and creativity freely. It is this freedom that France, together with the rest of the world, strives and will continue to protect,” the French embassy said.
Earlier, French president François Hollande on Wednesday asked for unity in a nation reeling from the bloody attack.
“We ourselves must be mindful of the fact that our best weapon is our unity: the unity of all our fellow citizens in this difficult moment. Nothing can divide us, nothing must pit us against one another, nothing must separate us,” Hollande said in a televised press conference Wednesday hours after the incident.
Hollande hit the attack as “cowardly” and asked the public to thank the families of the 12 people who died for freedom.
He also vowed to severely punish the three gunmen who were implicated in the deadliest attack in the country since 1961.
“France is great when she is capable of rising to the test, rising to a level that has always enabled her to overcome hardships. Freedom will always be stronger than barbarity. France has always vanquished her enemies when she has stood united and remained true to her values,” Hollande added.
Other world leaders, including President Benigno Aquino III, have expressed their solidarity to the French republic and condemnation to the perpetrators of the attack.
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