Philippines condemns 'totally unacceptable' attack on Egyptian mosque

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government on Saturday vehemently condemned what it described as “totally unacceptable” assault at a mosque in the Sinai peninsula that killed at least 235 people and wounding at least 109 others.

In what Egyptian officials qualified as the deadliest terror attack in Egypt’s modern history, Islamist militants on Friday blasted a crowded mosque with rocket-propelled grenades and sprayed helpless worshippers with gunfire.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

In a statement, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano denounced the “cowardly act” against Muslims in Egypt.

“We join the people and government of Egypt and the rest of the world in mourning the loss of many innocent lives in the tragedy,” Cayetano said.

“Attacks on any place of worship are totally unacceptable,” he added.

Attacks on mosques are rare in Egypt.

According to authorities, the assailants targeted a mosque frequented by Sufis, members of a mystic movement within Islam.

Islamic militants, including the local affiliate of the Islamic State group, consider Sufis heretics because of their less literal interpretations of the faith.

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi vowed that the attack "will not go unpunished" and that Egypt would persevere with its war on terrorism. But he did not specify what new steps might be taken.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Cairo said initial reports indicated that no Filipinos were killed in the attack.

There are 5,183 registered Filipinos in Egypt. — with a report from the Associated Press