Philippines condemns Norway attacks

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines on Saturday joined governments worldwide in condemning attacks which claimed at least 87 lives in Norway, home to 16,000 Filipinos and peace talks with the Asian country’s Maoist rebels.

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario has been told there were no known Filipino victims of the gun and bomb attacks on Friday, ministry spokesman Raul Hernandez said.

“The Secretary of Foreign Affairs states the Philippines deplores the tragic twin attacks in Norway and extends his condolences to the Norwegian government and people,” Hernandez told Agence France-Presse.

“As of this time, initial report from our embassy in Oslo… states there are no Filipinos adversely affected by the recent bombing and shooting incidents,” Hernandez added.
Del Rosario is attending a regional security meeting in Indonesia.

Oslo has been hosting peace talks this year between the Philippine government and Maoist rebels waging a deadly, 42-year-old armed rebellion in the Southeast Asian nation.