DFA condemns killing of US envoy in Libya

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday condemned the killing of a US diplomat and his staff in Libya, saying that the act should likewise be deplored by the international community.

“We are outraged by the horrific criminal and senseless act of violence in Benghazi which should be condemned by the international community,” Raul Hernandez, DFA spokesperson, said in a press briefing.

Hernandez added that the act was a “serious violation of long standing norms of international law” and that diplomatic and consular agents were not be harmed as diplomatic and consular premises were “inviolable.”

The DFA, in a statement, noted that it was also taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety of its diplomats and missions in the country, and to keep them from any intrusion or damage.

“The DFA is closely coordinating with police and law enforcement agencies in the Philippines to step up security and ensure that diplomatic and consular missions of other countries are protected to prevent any attack on these establishments,” it said.

“We condole with the families of US ambassador Steven and embassy staff who perished in their line of duty particularly in their efforts to help Libyan people pursue a just and democratic society,” he added.

Meanwhile, the United States Embassy in Manila also mourned the deaths of their colleagues in Libya as police heightened its security measures at its building along Roxas Boulevard.

“We are deeply saddened by the deaths of Ambassador Stevens and three of our colleagues in Libya.  We echo President Obama’s and Secretary Clinton’s statements condemning the attack as a senseless act of violence,” Tina Malone, US embassy spokesperson said in an emailed message.

She added that US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas also offered prayers for their departed friends, and vowed to do their best to follow in their footsteps.

“We mourn this tragic loss, and the families of our departed friends and colleagues are in our thoughts and prayers.  We will do our best to honor and carry forward their memory and their service,” Malone quoted Thomas as saying.

US ambassador Chris Stevens and three others were killed in an attack on the US consulate in Benghazi late Tuesday by armed Islamists outraged over an American-made Internet video mocking Islam.

Radio reports had earlier said that following the attacks, the Manila Police District set up concrete barriers  at the embassy’s main gate and deployed additional personnel to guard the embassy premises.

Malone, in her emailed message, said that the tightened security was part of the directive from US President Barack Obama Wednesday to increase security at diplomatic posts around the world. She added that the embassy remained open for regular business.

“The US Embassy appreciates the strong cooperation and support that we receive from the Philippine National Police and security authorities in this regard, and we remain open for regular business,” she said.