GMA: RP mourns over Katrina’s victims

President Arroyo expressed her profound sympathy on behalf of Filipinos yesterday to the American people following reports of massive death and destruction brought on by Hurricane Katrina in the southeastern United States.

Mrs. Arroyo also expressed her condolences to the families of "our Muslim brothers" who died in a stampede on top of a bridge in Baghdad, Iraq the other day.

"It is doubly sad that the tragedy happened on the eve of Isra wal Miraj, the Muslim holiday commemorating Prophet Muhammad’s night journey from Makkah to Jerusalem and his ascension to heaven," she said.

In a statement, the President pointed out that the US has always come to the aid of the Philippines during disasters as she cited the courage of the American people in confronting calamities.

"America has never hesitated to come to the aid of distressed Filipinos in times of disaster, and we also feel the anguish of death and destruction of a friend and ally across the Pacific," Mrs. Arroyo said.

"We wish the American people a speedy recovery from this calamity and we extol their courage and sense of community in overcoming the heavy loss in terms of precious homes and human lives," she said.

Katrina cut through southern states earlier this week, the hardest hit being Louisiana and Mississippi. Hundreds were reported dead as power and gas lines in many areas were cut and floods washed away homes and bridges.

In condoling with those in Baghdad, Mrs. Arroyo said "we strongly urge Muslims, Christians and peoples of all faiths to join hands in prayer and for our common quest for peace."

Most of the casualties were trampled, crushed against barricades or cast into the Tigris River as they were engulfed in panic along with other pilgrims on hearing a suicide bomber was at large.

More than 800 died in the incident that occurred Wednesday as the procession reached a Baghdad bridge.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo instructed yesterday the Philippine embassy and consulates general in the United States to closely monitor the status of Filipinos in the states hit by Katrina.

He assured the people that the government is ready to extend all possible assistance to Filipinos who may be affected by the natural catastrophe.

"The embassy and consulates are ready to assist our nationals in the hurricane-affected areas," Romulo said. — With Pia Lee-Brago