By Filane Mikee Cervantes/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday expressed her solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka following the wave of bombings of several churches and hotels in the country.
In a statement, Hontiveros also condemned the “horrific” blasts that killed more than 200 people on Easter Sunday.
“I stand in solidarity, grief, and shock with the victims, their families, and the nation of Sri Lanka, and I condemn the horrific attacks that claimed more than 200 lives and injured hundreds more this past Easter Sunday,” Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros said the Easter Sunday attacks, which were carried out on the “most important day” for the Catholic faithful, is an affront not only to their faith, but also to the dignity of those who only wished to celebrate the day in peace and fellowship.
“Terrorism has no place in this world. And while they will always try to divide people to make us live in fear and suspicion of one another, we will not let them win. The people of Sri Lanka will rise from this tragedy stronger than ever, and they will not stand alone,” she said.
“They will have the support of their neighbors and the international community, and we will come together to cast away fear, bring these vile terrorists to justice, and light the fire of hope anew,” she added.
The explosions occurred at the St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, a city about 20 miles north of Colombo; the St. Anthony’s Shrine in Colombo; and Zion Church in the eastern city of Batticaloa during an Easter Sunday service.
Explosions were also initially reported at three hotels in Colombo: the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand, and the Kingsbury.
Ruwan Gunasekera, a police spokesman in the South Asian country, was cited as saying that more than 200 people were killed and 450 others injured by the large-scale suicide bombings.
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