DFA: No Pinoys hurt in Russia terror attack

MANILA, Philippines — No Filipinos were hurt in the terror attack at the Crocus Hall in Moscow on March 22 that resulted in the deaths of about 115 people, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

“The Philippine embassy in Moscow reported that there are no Filipinos affected in the attack and has advised the Filipino community in Moscow to undertake the necessary
 precautions following the attack,” the DFA said in a statement.

Militant group Islamic State-Khorasan or ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attack through its news agency Amaq.

Camouflage-clad armed assailants burst into the hall and fired shots at concertgoers awaiting the performance of a Russian rock band and left the venue ablaze, Associated Press reported.

The terrorist attack happened days after Russia’s elections that made Vladimir Putin cement his grip on power.

According to the DFA, as of 2022, there are 19,429 overseas Filipinos in Russia, of whom 12,000 are in Moscow.

President Marcos joined world leaders in condemning the attack, calling it a "senseless act of terrorism."

"I am profoundly saddened by the innocent lives lost in the horrific ISIS attack at the concert hall in Moscow," Marcos said in an X post. — Alexis Romero