ShareThisAquino condemns killing
of American ambassador
and 3 aides in Libya
MANILA — Malacanang condemned the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya that killed American ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other US citizens.
The killings prompted Washington to order heightened alert in the US Embassy in Manila and other key posts in Asia. Commandos now secure the US Embassy in Manila 24 hours a day even as business continues as usual in the embassy.
US Ambassador to Manila Harry Thomas expressed appreciation for “the strong cooperation and support that (it) receives from the Philippine National Police and security authorities in this regard, and we remain open for regular business.”
“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,” Thomas said.
In a statement, the entire embassy staff also expressed sadness over the “senseless act of violence” that resulted in the death of their colleagues in the service at the US State Department.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said Philippine security forces are stepping up security to ensure that diplomatic and consular missions of other countries in the Philippines are protected to prevent any attack on these establishments.
The DFA assured that the Philippines is “taking all appropriate steps to protect the diplomats and the premises against any intrusion and damage or any disturbance of the mission.’’
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said: “They cover the international law. We condemn any violence on any person especially the Ambassador, so it’s something that we are certainly concerned with.”
Lacierda also reported that based on the information received by the Palace from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), no Filipino was killed or hurt during the violence in Benghazi.
The DFA is also expected to issue an update on the Libyan situation, he said.
Stevens and the other Americans were killed after Islamist mob attacked the US consulate and a safe house refuge in Benghazi on Tuesday night. The attackers were blaming America for a film they said insulted the Prophet Mohammad.
As violence erupts in Libya, another assault was mounted on the US embassy in Cairo. Protesters including Islamists tore down and burned a US flag.
US President Barack Obama called the killing of Stevens and three other Americans an “outrageous attack.”
He vowed to hunt down the perpetrators of the incident and ordered carrying out tighter security measures to all US diplomatic missions worldwide.