NO FILIPINO was hurt in the recent attack in Finland, according to a statement released by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday, while the number of Filipinos directly affected in the Barcelona attack last week climbs to four.

DFA Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano has urged the 3,500 Filipinos in Finland to stay vigilant and to contact the Honorary Consulate General in Helsinki or the Philippine embassy in Oslo if in need of assistance.

The DFA secretary also conveyed sympathies from the Philippine government to the Finnish government and to the families of the victims.

“We condemn any act that seeks to undermine peaceful and tolerant societies,” he said in his statement.

Four foreign nationals were wounded in the incident, which happened over the weekend in the city of Turku, located at the southwest coast of Finland. According to a report from Embassy Charge d’ Affaires Maria Elena P. Algabre, the attack was carried out by an 18-year old man. Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation is already investigating the incident as a terrorist attack.

In addition, Mr. Cayetano said the Philippine Embassy in Norway, which has jurisdiction over Finland and remains in close coordination with the Philippine Honorary Consulate General in Helsinki, is closely monitoring the situation.

BARCELONA
Meanwhile, Charge d’ Affaires Emmanuel R. Fernandez of the Philippine Embassy in Madrid is looking into the condition of the 43-year-old Filipina mother who was injured in the Barcelona terrorist attack. The Philippine embassy is also currently assisting her in locating her seven-year-old son, who got separated during the commotion.

The Filipina and her son are both Philippine passport holders, according to the DFA. She sustained injuries during the terrorist attack in Barcelona’s Las Ramblas tourist district, which left at least 13 people dead and more than 100 injured.

According to Mr. Cayetano, Mr. Fernandez was also able to visit the four Irish citizens of Filipino descent who are now reportedly recovering well.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola, on the other hand, said the Philippine Consulate General in Milan will be assisting the two other Filipinos who were injured in Barcelona. The two sustained some bruises and will be accompanied to a hospital and debriefing on Monday, the DFA said. — Mario M. Banzon

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