The United States government yesterday condemned the bombing in Cotabato City that killed two and injured several others on New Year’s Eve.
“We offer condolences to the loved ones of the victims and hope for a quick recovery for the injured,” the US Embassy in Manila said.
The US reiterated its readiness to provide continued support for the peace process in the Southern Philippines, with both countries being longstanding friends, partners, and allies.
Aside from the United States, other countries and members of the international community like Japan, Taiwan, and the European Union have also sent their sympathies to the victims of the latest bombing that struck the Southern Philippines.
On Dec. 21, the British government, through its Foreign Commonwealth Office, warned its citizens in the Philippines against all travel to western and central Mindanao and Sulu archipelago, citing terrorist activity and clashes between the the military and insurgent groups.
The FCO also said that “terrorist are very likely to carry out attacks in the Philippines,” including in the capital Manila.
“Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and the intent to carry out attacks at any time and anywhere in the country, including in places visited by foreigners, like airports, shopping malls, public transport, including the metro system, and places of worship. You should remain vigilant at all times and report anything suspicious to the local authorities,” the FCO said in the travel advisory.
The bombing incident happened outside the South Seas Mall when an unidentified man lobbed a box containing the suspected improvised explosive device in front of a stall selling firecrackers and pyrotechnics. (Roy C. Mabasa)