Philippines’ Deputy Foreign Minister: We Trust the Syrians’ Ability to Rebuild What Terrorism Has Destroyed

ALEPPO, (ST)- Deputy Foreign Minister of the Philippines Jesus I. Yabes on Tuesday visited the Syrian city of Aleppo where he and the accompanying delegation met the Governor Hussein Diyab and were briefed on the city’s situation.

The Governor talked to the delegation about Aleppo’s historical, economic and social importance and about the damage caused to the city by the terrorists before the Syrian army has restored security and stability to Aleppo and after the government has launched reconstruction efforts.

He hailed the Philippines’ government’s keenness on keeping its embassy in Damascus opened within the ongoing crisis in Syria.

“This supportive stance expresses the Philippines’ understanding of the reality and the nature of terrorist war waged against Syria,” he said.

 On his part, Yabes expressed sadness over the huge destruction of the old city of Aleppo and the rest of Aleppo neighborhoods because of terrorism. He congratulated the people of Aleppo on their victory over terrorism and stressed his confidence in the ability of the Syrian people, particularly the locals of Aleppo to rebuild all what has been destroyed by terrorism.

“The Philippines has suffered from terrorism and it is looking forward to having more international cooperation to eliminate terrorism wherever it exists,” the guest diplomat said.

He stressed his country’s willingness to boost economic and cultural relations between Syria and the Philippines, hailing the facilitations provided by the Aleppo governorate to the honorary Consulate of the Philippines in Aleppo as to carry on its mission in serving the Philippines’ community in the governorate.

Hamda Mustafa