PHL condemns New Zealand mosque shootings

The Philippines on Saturday condemned the mass shootings in mosques in New Zealand, calling it a "reprehensible act."

"The Philippines joins all peace-loving nations and peoples around the world in condemning — in the strongest and in no uncertain terms — this assault on the faithful in places of worship," presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

"This reprehensible act has no place in a civilised world. The Philippines rebukes all efforts to sow terror and fear between and among peoples," he added.

"The Government and the people of the Philippines stand with New Zealand during this time of grief and outrage," Panelo said.

Forty-nine people died and more than 40 people were wounded after a gunman went to two mosques in New Zealand on Friday and shot people as they prayed.

The main suspect, Brenton Harrison Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian citizen, was charged with murder on Saturday.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern condemned the act as terrorism.

Panelo called for a "universal unified action" to make sure similar attempts to destabilize order in societies are demolished and neutralized.

"There has to be a universal unified action as well as a conscious and determined effort to neutralise and demolish any attempt at destabilising the order in societies and the tranquility of their citizens and secure the safety of lives and properties of the inhabitants of the globe," he said.

"We cannot allow ourselves to be held hostage by fear and intimidation sown by terrorists and psychologically challenged persons and live in an endangered environment," Panelo added.

"With unity in action against the enemies of the states, we shall prevail," he said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident, and we pray for strength and speedy recovery of those who were injured," Panelo said.

The presidential spokesperson also said the Department of Foreign Affairs has been tasked to monitor the situation and determine the condition of Filipinos there.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs has been instructed to monitor closely the situation and determine the condition of Filipino nationals in the area," Panelo said. —KG, GMA News