The Philippines welcomes Japan's offer to assist the country in fighting terrorism, delivered in light of twin bombings that hit the southern Philippine island of Jolo in January, Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said on Monday
MANILA (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 11th February, 2019) The Philippines welcomes Japan's offer to assist the country in fighting terrorism, delivered in light of twin bombings that hit the southern Philippine island of Jolo in January, Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said on Monday.On January 27, two consecutive explosions hit a Roman Catholic cathedral on the island of Jolo in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, killing nearly 30 people, according to local authorities. The Islamic State terrorist group (banned in Russia) has claimed responsibility for the Jolo deadly bombings.
"We welcome all kinds of help. As I said, all nations of the world must unite to combat terrorism," Panelo said at a briefing, as quoted by the Manila Bulletin newspaper.
When asked whether Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was planning to visit Japan in the near future, the spokesman said that the president had expressed willingness to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and was waiting for the latter's response.
At his meeting with Duterte on Saturday, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said that Japan was ready to help the Philippines combat the "scourge of terrorism" in the country.
