Palace alerts all RP embassies after Russia, Pakistan bombings

President Arroyo alerted yesterday all Philippine embassies to continue implementing precautionary measures against terrorist attacks as she condemned the deadly terror attacks in Russia and Pakistan.

She also said the incidents should serve as a warning to Filipinos and law enforcers to remain on alert against terror attacks at home.

"The Philippine government condemns the recent terrorist attacks in Moscow and in Pakistan. We know the pain of being victimized by terror and we stand firmly with all nations in the fight against terrorism," Mrs. Arroyo said in a statement.

Two female suicide bombers blew themselves up and killed at least 16 other people at a rock concert in Moscow last Saturday, while 53 people including the terrorists were killed in an attack on a Shiite Muslim mosque in the Pakistani city of Quetta on Friday.

No Filipinos were reported as casualties in the two incidents.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs beefed up security in all embassies and consulates abroad following the attacks in Russia and Pakistan.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Administration Fraklin Ebdalin said the diplomatic missions were ordered by the DFA to be on alert and step up security because of the threats of terrorism.

"We have authorized them to hire additional security personnel. We also asked them to get in touch with their host countries if additional security is necessary," Ebdalin added.

Philippine embassies have been advised to take precautionary measures against terrorist attacks, Mrs. Arroyo said. In Jakarta in August 2000, a car bomb seriously wounded Ambassador to Indonesia Leonides Caday.

One of the precautionary measures being implemented by the embassies is to remind Filipino nationals, particularly workers in high-risk areas such as the Middle East, to stay away from crowded places that are potential terrorist targets.

The President reassured Filipinos that law enforcers remain on high alert against possible terrorist incidents in the country.

"Our law enforcement agencies and our communities must be alert at all times to thwart terrorist incursions," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo did not say if the government would be taking any further measures in reaction to the incidents in Moscow and Quetta. Her administration has been one of the staunchest supporters of the United States-led international campaign against terror.

In recent years, the Philippines has suffered bomb attacks largely carried out by Muslim separatist guerrillas with alleged links to foreign extremist groups like Jemaah Islamiyah and the al-Qaeda. — Marichu Villanueva, Pia Lee-Brago, AFP