No Filipino casualties in Istanbul shooting

The Philippine government on Sunday said no Filipino was injured or killed in the shooting at an Instanbul night club that left more than 30 people dead.

“So far there are no reports of any Filipino casualty in the Istanbul nightclub shooting,” Foreign Affairs spokesperson Charles Jose told INQUIRER.net in a text message.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the incident, which happened on New Year.

Media reports said the perpetrator was dressed in a Santa Claus costume and opened fire inside the nightclub. More than 40 people were injured while 35 were killed.

Officials said the shooting was a terror attack.

READ: At least 35 dead in New Year’s attack on Istanbul night club—governor

The attack happened after midnight, inside a club that was filled with an estimated 600 people. The venue is near the soccer stadium were recent suicide attacks were orchestrated.

Istanbul has been targeted by both the Islamic State group and Kurdish rebels.

In July, a coup attempt resulted in the deaths of 42 people.

A month before that, triple suicide bombings killed 36 people at the Istanbul airport.

READ: PH envoy to Turkey: All ‘kababayans’ are safe after airport attack