DMW: No Filipino reported hurt in Moscow attack

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Saturday that there are no reports of any Filipino casualties in the attack at a concert hall in Moscow. 

"We received information from Usec. Ed de Vega of the @DFAPHL that no Filipino was hurt in the latest terrorist attack in a concert hall in Moscow," said DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac on X (formerly Twitter).

"Our deepest sympathies and prayers for the families of the victims of the attack," added Cacdac. 

DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza separately reported that no Filipinos hurt in the incident, according to information provided by the Philippine Embassy in Moscow. She said that the embassy has advised the Filipino community there to undertake the necessary precautions following the attack.

"The Philippines strongly condemns the heinous attack at the Crocus Hall in Moscow on 22 March 2024, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives, caused injuries to several people, and significantly damaged properties," Daza said.

She added, "We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured people speedy recovery."

Russia's Investigative Committee said that more than 60 people had been killed in the attack while over a hundred people were injured after camouflage-clad gunmen fired automatic weapons on concertgoers.

At least five gunmen began shooting civilians cowering in the Crocus City Hall just before Soviet-era rock group "Picnic" was about to perform to a full house at the 6,200-seat theater in a suburb west of Moscow.

Children were reported to be among the dead and injured at the concert in one of the deadliest attacks on Russia in decades.

Islamic State, the militant group that once sought control over swathes of Iraq and Syria, claimed responsibility for the attack, the group's Telegram channel said.

The United States, European and Arab powers and many former Soviet republics expressed shock, condemned the attack and sent their condolences. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak denied any Ukrainian involvement. —with a report from Reuters/ VAL/VDV, GMA Integrated News