RP condemns bomb attack in Indonesia

RP condemns bomb attack in Indonesia

PHILIPPINES: Philippines foreign secretary Blas Ople condemned on Wednesday the bomb attack this week on the Indonesian legislature, describing it as an assault on democracy by desperate "nihilists".

"The Indonesian government can count on our full and unstinting support as they track down those responsible. If those bombers served any purpose at all, they only strengthened our resolve in the region that we shall neither cower before nor yield to terror," he said in a statement.

Monday's blast at the legislative building in Jakarta caused property damage but no casualties. No group has claimed responsibility, though it came just days after the arrest of nine Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) terror suspects who were said to be planning attacks.

Ople urged Indonesians to resist "nihilists who, finding themselves increasingly isolated in the democratic space being brought about by the Indonesian government, are resorting to such acts of terror in their desperation." --AFP