THE Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday called on the Filipinos abroad to exercise vigilance in the wake of another terror attack in the United States.
The department issued the advisory after a rush-hour bomb explosion at a major transport hub in New York left at least four people injured on Monday morning.
The department made its statement even as Malacañang on Tuesday condemned the attack by a man believed to be a follower of the IS terror group.
“Terrorism and hate have no place in society,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque told reporters.
Roque said the government would be praying for the speedy recovery of those injured. He added that no Filipino was injured in the incident.
In its initial report to Manila, the Philippine Consulate General in New York said the incident involved the premature detonation of a pipe bomb at the Port Authority Terminal, the main transport hub for buses going in and out of New York.
Consul General Maria Teresa Dizon-De Vega said a suspect, who was also injured in the incident and reported to have been in possession of a second explosive device, was now in police custody.
Immediately after the attack, the consulate issued an advisory requesting the 56,100 members of the Filipino community to avoid the area and to be extra careful.
Dizon-De Vega said she was relieved no Filipino was among the injured since the Port Authority Terminal was being used by Filipinos from New Jersey and nearby areas.
Those include personnel of the consulate and the Philippine Mission to the United Nations who take their connecting subway rides to their offices.
The latest attack come more than five weeks after eight people were killed and 11 others injured in Manhattan after they were ran over by a truck driven by an IS follower.
It also followed warnings issued by the terrorist group that it would undertake more attacks worldwide.
PNA
